HOW THE ARTFUL DESIGN OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY GATEWAY

OVERLOOK RECONNECTED THE CITY OF AMSTERDAM

SARATOGA ASSOCIATES LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, ARCHITECTS,

ENGINEERS, AND PLANNERS, P.C.

Presentation Overview

Background

Design Process and Goals

Concepts

Design Development

Public Participation Process

Construction

Finished Product and Project Impact

Background

Project Team

Engineer of Record – Ammann & Whitney

Project Designer, Landscape Architecture, Architecture –

Saratoga Associates

Civil Engineer – MJ Engineering & Surveyors

Environmental Engineering – Louis Berger

Electrical Engineering – Maita Associates

Geotechnical Engineering – GZA GeoEnvironmental

Contractor – Kubricky Construction Corporation

Sub Contractor – DA Collins

Pedestrian Bridges Can Be Many Things

Conveyance

A gathering place for the community

An economic catalyst by increasing tourism

An iconic piece of architecture and engineering for an entire

region

A place to learn

An eyesore

7

Design Process and Goals

“…add green space …. promote cultural and

commercial revitalization.”

“Though the High Line is not fully completed —

more than two million people have already

visited.”

Case Studies

High Line

Manhattan, NY

Walkway over the HudsonPoughkeepsie, NY

Bridge of Flowers

Shelburn Falls, MA

Inspiration - More Than a Bridge

Common Design Themes

Events Program and FuntionMore than a bridge…

Concepts

• Efficiency of material

• Graceful presence

• Longer span

Suspension – Option A

Suspension – Option B

• Asymmetrical Design

• Efficiency in materials

• Long Span – opens navigation

clearance

Cable Stay – Option C

Original Design Inspiration

Original Design - 2001

Original Design in New Base Model

New Base Model

Design

Development

Alternative 1: Traditional Cable Stay

Alternate 1- Perspective Overview

Alternative 2: Park Over the River - Straight

Alternate 2- Perspective Overview

Alternative 3: Park Over the River – Curved

Alternate 3- Perspective Overview

Public

Participation

Process

Where We Were

Where We Are

Chalmer’s Site

Parking

South Shore

Mohawk River

Picnic

Shelter

North Shore

Where We Are

Design Elements – Overall Systems

Planter WallsPlant Materials Paving

Retaining Walls

Guard Rails

Architecture Lighting Site Fixtures

Interpretive Elements

Bridge Piers

Construction

Construction Details

3 Span structure

Steel plate girders – 135; 235; &141 Feet

511ft long x 30ft wide

Prefabricated Bridge

700 cubic yards of concrete

17,000 bolts used

Construction from Fall 2014 to Spring 2016

Finished Product and

Project Impact

Since its grand opening in the Fall of 2016, the MVGO has already become a center of community activity.

Birds Eye View East

A variety of interpretive elements highlight the history and culture of the City and its relationship to the Mohawk.

Closeup View West

The unique “Park over the River” theme for the pedestrian bridge extends a greenway across the Mohawk, including

extensive landscape planting, viewing areas, and gathering spaces for large functions.

Infusing New Life

Reconnecting the City of Amsterdam’s north and south side neighborhoods which were divided long ago by a

utilitarian and pedestrian unfriendly arterial bridge.

Connection

A large compass was added to the design elements to remind the city of its multifaceted history and future

Compass

The 30 foot wide bridge spans 511 feet over the Mohawk River and connects Riverlink Park on the north shore of the

river and Bridge Street on the south shore.

View From the Water

Serves as a reminder of the industrial past of the river and its use in running mills and powering commerce.

Stone Retaining Wall

Brightly colored flowers were placed to bring a sense of vibrancy, life, and beauty to the walkway.

Vegetation

Decorative plaques tell a more detailed story of Amsterdam’s History.

Interpretive Signs

The bridge’s design vocabulary incorporates interpretive architectural and landscape architectural elements to celebrate

the story of Amsterdam.

Groundwork Hudson Valley

View from the Bridge

The entire length of the bridge provides information on the history and importance of the region and the waterway.

Culture

The Amsterdam high school marching band on the MVGO.

Community

Members of the Amsterdam community enjoy the newly opened greenway.

Community

A view of the greenway in early Autumn.

Autumn View

MVGO Results After One Year

Number of visitors greater than projected

Real estate values increasing in vicinity of bridge

City of Amsterdam has programmed activities at bridge all

year long

Has sparred additional events in connected parks and

neighborhoods

Created an estimated $2M in economic impact within the first

year

Things to Consider for Your Pedestrian Bridge

Maximize nodes of connectivity

Gather public input

Consider aesthetic design elements

Can it be more than a bridge?

PDH Questions

1. What three types of bridge designs were considered?

Ans. – traditional cablestay, park over river (straight), park over river (curved)

2. In addition to physically reconnecting the city, what was other goal?

Ans. – Build metaphorical bridge that celebrates city’s cultural diversity.

3. What is required navigational clearance height of MVGO for water

vessels?

Ans. – 20 feet above high water level

Thank You

Daniel Shearer, PE, LEED AP

President & CEO

Saratoga Associates

518-831-5754

dshearer@saratogaassociates.com

www.saratogaassociates.com

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