Troost Bridge
Troost Bridge THE CHALLENGE: Continue the revitalization of a grand, socially-charged Kansas City street with a new bridge, guardrail and pedestrian walkway. THE SITE: A short span bridge at the point where Troost Avenue, the racial and social dividing line of Kansas City, crosses over Brush Creek, a major urban waterway suffering the ill effects of a combined storm/sewer system. THE PROGRAM: A 150’ pre-cast clear span bridge replacement with an 8’ wide protected sidewalk to the west and a 10’ protected trail to the east. Pedestrian-scale lighting and communitysanctioned “artistic enhancement”.
VIEW FROM WEST Glass panels reflect the changing quality in light and the immediate surroundings, indicating the mood of the sky and the time of day.
A. PEOPLE B. BARRIER C. CARS
C B A
SITE CONCEPT A heavy barrier between people and cars opens the potential for a light barrier between people and site.
VIEW FROM WEST Embedded linear LEDs interacts with billowing stainless steel panels and reflects off glass panels. Vehicular headlights animate the interior surface of glass panels.
SECTION DIAGRAM Bus riders, uniquely elevated, see through the glass panels and see an animated surface through reflections in the glass.
VIEW FROM SOUTHWEST Looking towards bridge at dusk, university campus and research institute beyond.
PROCESS PHOTOS (A full scale in-house mock-up process was used to test and refine the design.
T.O. GLASS PANELS SHALL SLOPE UNIFORMLY LONGITUDINALLY AND CORNERS SHALL BE ALIGNED ALONG THE SLOPING TOP EDGE
1 7/16" THK. (NOM.) LAM. GLASS PANEL, 1 3/4" DIA. HOLES
6"
T.O. GLASS PANELS 9'-0"+/- ABOVE BRIDGE DECK
3456
(3) LAYERS OF 1/2" EPDM ELASTROMERIC PAD, ADHESIVE BACKED, 1 1/2" DIA. HOLES AT BOLT CONNECTION
3/8" THK. EPDM ELASTROMERIC PAD, ADHESIVE BACKED, 1 1/2" DIA. HOLES 1 1/4" THK. STAINLESS STEEL CLAMPING PL., 1 1/2" DIA. HOLES
CL
EMBED PL. AND RODS, RE: 02/A102 1 1/4-7X6" HEX HEAD BOLT & THK. WASHER, 18-8 S/S
CONCRETE BARRIER BEYOND
EMBEDDED PLATE AND RODS, RE: 02/A102 COUPLER, MAX. ONE PER UPPER ROD AS NEEDED
LEVELING PL. TAPPED FOR 1 1/4-7 THREADS
VOID SHALL BE NON-EXISTENT UPON FASTENING OF CLAMPING PL.
EMBEDDED RODS TO RECEIVE HEX NUT AT END CONDTION, TYP. 03/04 A102
1'-6"
ANTI-GRAFFITI FILM (BOTH SIDES), STOP FILM AT EPDM. (3) LAYERS OF 1/2" EPDM ELASTROMERIC PAD, ADHESIVE BACKED, 2 1/4" DIA. HOLES CONTINUOUS (TOOLED) SILICONE JOINT SEALANT
BACKER ROD, CLOSED CELL POLYETHYLENE FOAM 1"-8 LEVELING HEX NUT WASHER, GALV.
1"-8 HEX NUT & WASHER, GALV.
CL
BOLT BEYOND, RE: 04/A102
CL
EDGE OF WING WALL / ABUTMENT BEYOND
1 3/8" THK. STAINLESS STEEL LEVELING PL., 1 1/8" DIA. HOLES
3 1/2"
4'-0" 1'-0"
3'-8"
1 1/2" MAX.
1/4"
0.02'/FT.
4 1/4"
T.O. BRIDGE DECK EL: VARIES
1 7/16" THK. (NOM.) LAM. GLASS PANEL 3/8" THK. EPDM ELASTROMERIC PAD, ADHESIVE BACKED 1 1/4" THK. STAINLESS STEEL CLAMPING PL.
1/2" THK. (MIN.) CONT. SHIM MATERIAL 1/2" THK. STAINLESS STEEL BRG. PL.
C.L. OF GIRDER
SECTION DETAILS Careful detailing allows the 10’ tall glass panels to seemingly hang off the edge of the bridge deck.
VOID SHALL BE NONEXISTENT UPON FASTENING OF CLAMPING PL.
EMBED PL. AND RODS, RE: 02/A102
° 90
5/16
1/2" 5 3/4"
INTERIOR & EXTERIOR VIEWS Reflections on the glass allow pedestrians to simultaneously see what is in front and behind of them, while the barrier itself blends in with the sky.
EXTERIOR VIEW The Trail Center consists of two bunk houses that can serve up to 40 Girl Scouts and 8 parents or staff. The bunk houses also provide 24 hour latrine facilities for all outdoor campers.
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS Rebar is set at the bridge deck, sidewalk and guardrail. Concrete is poured into place.
VIEW FROM BRIDGE Looking east to Brush Creek, reflections multiply at night, amplifying light.
DEDICATION The bridge was dedicated at a Saturday street festival, a celebration of culture and shared accomplishment, and just one more small step in the continued connection of two communities across Troost Avenue.
PERFORMANCE QUALIFICATIONS The bridge is a significant piece of pedestrian infrastructure that encourages walking, cycling, and other environmentally friendly means of transportation. It facilitates safety and walkability and connects a disadvantaged neighborhood to a number of community functions–including an environmental conservation learning center, a university and a number of community organizations–all on the very same block. It features recyclable materials, including stainless steel plates and panels, and uses highly efficient, integrated LED pedestrian lights.