Bruce Vento Regional Trail Bridge, Minnesota, United States

The Bruce Vento Regional Trail Bridge will be a curvilinear, single tower suspension bridge with a clear span of approximately 500’ (152m) over railroad tracks and Warner Road. The new bridge has been located in the best possible position given the existing site constraints and programmatic requirements. The curved alignment of the bridge creates a distinct geometry that blends well with the natural setting of the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary, and also allows the bridge to be suspended only from the interior side of the curvature, creating a dramatic and visually clean structure. The bridge cable arrangement is dynamic and very transparent which allows it to enhance the scenic natural environment. The new bridge has a minimum width of 12’ (3.5m) which allows a comfortable space for both pedestrian and bicycle traffic to connect from the Vento Regional trail to the Sam Morgan trail adjacent to the Mississippi River. The structural gesture of the pedestrian/bicycle crossing will not overwhelm the landscape and will create a vital new connection to the regional trail system.