Discussion of aesthetics, functionality mark Downtown, East End Bridge
stakeholder meetings
September 2007 – The dialogue that helped produce two bridge types in Dec. 2006 was renewed in mid-August 2007 when Bridges Project engineers and officials met with two key stakeholder groups. Engineers from the Downtown and East End Bridge design teams reconvened their respective area advisory teams (AAT) to discuss bridge design aspects that will lend character and establish presence.
The public was also invited to the two workshops and encouraged to contribute feedback. The Downtown Bridge group, which met Aug. 14, consists of AAT members representing the Kennedy Interchange and Downtown Indiana design sections. The East End Bridge AAT, which met Aug. 16, is composed of representatives from the East End Kentucky and East End Indiana Approach sections.
The East End Bridge AAT was shown design options for aesthetic light and sign standards, railings, pier and tower shapes and other elements of the East End Bridge superstructure. Engineers for the Downtown span addressed issues such as pier shape and design continuity between the approach structures and elements of the bridge. Both design teams presented alternatives designed to complement bridge type as well as environment.
AAT members and members of the public had an opportunity to vote electronically on the proposed design features. Several AAT members expanded the discussion to include safety issues in light of the recent I-35 bridge collapse in Minneapolis, Minn.
AAT member feedback and public opinions as to shape, color, dimensions and visual impact are being considered by designers and bridge architects. Revised design options, based on input collected at the August meetings and other stakeholder meetings, will be presented later in the fall. Public involvement for this phase of the bridge design process will continue over the next several months, with meetings to take place later in 2007 and in early 2008.
The two bridge design teams also presented their proposals to the project’s historic preservation advisory groups, including the Kentucky and Indiana Historic Preservation Advisory Teams and the Bi-State Historic Consultation Team. These groups assess the potential effect of design plans on the region’s historic resources and make recommendations to the Bi-State Management Team. Those recommendations are intended to help enhance the project’s effect on historic properties and other culturally significant features.