Citation

Am. City Cty. 2000; 115(14): 2 p..

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Penton Media)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

When Wichita, Kansas, decided to replace the historic Douglas Street Bridge, city officials were careful to balance structural and aesthetic criteria. To jumpstart the project, the city initiated an international design competition. The new design features abstract sculptures to add an artistic element to downtown and includes five lanes of traffic with walkways on either side. Plaza spaces were built under the bridge on both sides of the river. Made of anodized aluminum pipe, the guardrails are meant to resemble the spars on an airplane or ship. Colors and forms are designed to blend with the bridge's surroundings.