Forest Park Parkway Pedestrian Bridge

Pedestrian circulation is an important aspect for any university campus, including Washington University in St. Louis. The pedestrian bridge that spans Forest Park Parkway serves as a gateway to the campus and is a component of the Centennial Greenway, a 20-mile trail that is part of an interconnected system throughout the St. Louis region.  Narrow, unsafe conditions for pedestrians and cyclists led to the replacement of the bridge.

The new pedestrian bridge is twice as wide as the previous bridge with designated lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, providing safer travel conditions for all users while meeting accessibility standards. With the bridge being in a highly visible area, spanning Forest Parkway Parkway and a MetroLink rail line, the design reflects nearby enhancement projects.

Oates Associates provided structural engineering services for the design of light gage framing for the support of decorative metal panels on the underside of the bridge. The metal panels are a modern upgrade that complement the design of neighboring building renovations.