COLLABORATION BRIDGE
22 Aug 2016
A collaborative effort between public artists and architects have created a pedestrian bridge in the US that uniquely reflects its coal mining history and serves to unite the surrounding communities.
The High Trestle Trail Bridge is the fifth longest pedestrian and bicycle bridge in the US. The bridge, over a half mile long, spans the Des Moines River Valley, and connects over 600 miles of trail in central Iowa. With the design embracing the local coal mining history and geology of the area, the site-specific installation utilises a tunnel of steel cribs, mimicking the structure of an old mine shaft, and abstracting them in a manner which evokes a sense of whimsical travel through time and space.
The experience becomes even more surreal as night falls and blue LED’s highlight the playful geometry of the cribs, drawing users in and gently releasing them through the other side. Not only has the installation been an experiential gift to the public, but it has also been recognised as a major contribution to regional economic development, with an additional 15 to 20 thousand people per month traveling to the local communities on both sides of the bridge.
Thanks to the collaboration between public artists, engineers, architects, lighting designers, owner and the public, this installation is now the keystone, uniting five distinct communities along the trail.
