SkyDance Bridge
The SkyDance Bridge is a pivotal element in the City’s efforts to provide a strong pedestrian connection between the downtown core and the Oklahoma River. It is symbolic of the American crossroads as it marks the “X” where east meets west and where Core meets Shore.
The 18-story structure, inspired by the skydance of the
scissor-tailed flycatcher, is 30 feet wide, 440 feet long and will span the
semi-depressed section of the new 10-lane Interstate 40 Highway and the
BN&SF Railroad on the south edge of downtown Oklahoma City.
Textures and color delineate the paths of north-south traffic.
Two skyward reaching wings frame paths for travelers driving I-40.
The taller wing reaches 185’ above the road surface and a 66-inch
high ornamental metal railing spans the length of bridge.
By day, its cascading
surface of stainless steel panels will shimmer in the sun.
At night, the structure takes flight as its city-side surfaces emit a
glow skyward. Traditional up lighting will show off the bridge at night and
a translucent material on the face of the bridge’s sculpture wings will
cause them to glow from within. Low glare exterior deck lighting dots the path across the
bridge.
A model of the
SkyDance Bridge is on display in City Hall, 3rd Floor Council
Chamber lobby.
The Design Team
Architect MKEC Engineering and Butzer Design Partnership,
lead by Hans Butzer, who designed the Oklahoma City National Memorial and
Stan Carroll who has won accolades for his work with metal sculptures and
architecture.
The Selection
Process
More than 16 design firms responded to the City’s request for proposals and design competition for the pedestrian bridge. Four firms were selected to compete, each receiving a $10,000 stipend to build a model of the bridge design and prepare a presentation.
Funding
Oklahoma City and State of Oklahoma Department of Transportation funds will pay for the estimated $5 million dollar construction cost.