West End Pedestrian Bridge
Riverlife wants to connect the north and south shores of the Ohio River with the addition of a dramatic pedestrian walkway and trail connection at the West End Bridge. With a grant from Alcoa Foundation, Riverlife conducted an international design competition that resulted in nearly 100 submissions from architects, engineers, designers and artists from all over the world. A team led by Endres Ware, an architectural and engineering firm based in Berkeley, CA was selected as the winner by a panel of expert judges.
The Endres Ware design respects and enhances the existing West End Bridge while creating new opportunities for people to ride, walk, sit and linger. “Viewed from the city, the West End Bridge will appear unchanged,” said Paul Endres, “but as you approach the new pedestrian bridge and pass through it, the bridge will take on new life and a new meaning. The views from the bridge are going to be spectacular to the east and to the west.”
The West End Bridge is a key gateway in the American landscape, a prominent historic landmark in the Pittsburgh region and one of the highlights of Three Rivers Park. It offers spectacular views of the Pittsburgh skyline and of the Ohio River valley.
Riverlife’s goal is to connect pedestrians, cyclists, boaters and other users to both shores of the river. Water landings that welcome boaters and give park users an opportunity to connect directly with the river are critical. Ultimately, we hope to bring the bridge into the everyday experience of residents and visitors by exploring and enhancing the connections to neighboring communities and by incorporating additional amenities in the development of the surrounding properties.
For more information about the competition, please visit Riverlife Competition.