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Holmberg Bridge

Chattanooga, Tennessee

In conjunction with the The Ramble master plan, WMWA was asked to address concerns of safety, durability, and maintenance costs for the Holmberg Bridge. The bridge received the highest number of negative responses in the Ramble stakeholder meetings due to the slippery nature of the glass, uncomfortable stair proportion, and unattractive appearance of broken panels. Temporary plywood replacements and cordoned off sections were commonplace, and the bridge was almost never seen or experienced by the public as it was initially intended.

WMWA worked with the City of Chattanooga, River City Company, and manufacturers to design a bridge surface that would remain close to the design intent of a transparent surface that glows at night, while using materials that were more durable once installed. The resultant treatment uses stainless steel grating that is slip resistant, durable, and cooler to the touch. By varying the concentration of textured grate fins, the design animates the bridge with a wave pattern. The choice of materiality in WMWA’s stair design enhances the relationship between the airiness of the bridge and the solid rigidity of the concrete supports and ramp. Like the bridge, the new stair serves to address the issues of the original design, using a solid version of the textured grate fins to create a stair with a riser-to-tread proportion that is comfortable to navigate. The new bridge grates were installed in 2018, and handrail lighting on the bridge and the new stair will be constructed as part of the Walnut Street Plaza project in 2020.