Downtown Bridge Design Alternatives
The design team for the Downtown Bridge started with 31 concepts for bridge types.
After considering public input, engineering feasibility and cost, the number was
whittled to 6; then narrowed again to 3.
Recommended Alternative 1 - Single-Tower Cable-Stayed
This alternative’s design offers a distinctive, single “A”-shaped tower with diagonally-shaped
support cables which fan out from either side of the tower and attach to the outside
of the deck superstructure.
Recommended Alternative 2 - Three-Tower Cable-Stayed
This alternative, ultimately the selected bridge type, features three sets of twin-towers
and cables arranged in a simple harp formation. The support cables attach to the
outside of the deck superstructure, with the middle tower slightly higher than the
other two.
Recommended Alternative 3 - Three-Span Thru Arch
The Three-Span Arch design has three sets of inclined arch ribs, connected by horizontal
bracing. One unique feature of this design is the arch form, which extends down
to water level. The vertical support hangers attach to the outside of the deck superstructure.
Park View
The top perspective shows a view of the bridge from the Jeffersonville Park. The
bottom view presents a view from Waterfront Park on the Louisville side of the river.
Roll over the numbers below to see views of each alternative.
The image below is a view of the underside of the bridge from Waterfront Park in
Louisville. Roll over the numbers below to see views of each alternative.
Driver's View
You can view each alternative from the perspective of a driver crossing the
bridge. Roll over the numbers below to see a still view from each
alternative, or click on them to run the driver's view simulation. NOTE -
You will need QuickTime
installed on your computer to view this simulation.
Night View
The images below represent what the alternatives may look like at night.
The aesthetic lighting has not been determined yet. These images
represent one possible scenario.