Floating amidst the tree-lined Charles River Esplanade, Boston’s new Frances “Fanny” Appleton Pedestrian Bridge blends sculptural ingenuity with historic preservation. Named for Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s wife, the Fanny Appleton Pedestrian Bridge is a curvilinear, ribbon-like steel bridge consisting of 550 feet of continuous girders supported by a signature tubular arch span that gracefully branches to a scenic overlook plaza and curved stairs. With no center piers, the bridge appears to float over Storrow Drive, connecting pedestrians to Boston’s most treasured sites and offering stunning views of the restored Longfellow Bridge.
STV provided engineering design services to the WSC-Joint Venture of J.F. White Contracting Co., Skanska and Consigli Construction Co. for the new structure that replaces a nondescript and inadequate pedestrian crossing.
STV’s design addressed fabrication, constructability and pedestrian-induced vibration performance. The firm worked closely with the design-build team to include cost-effective design modifications, to meet the architectural objectives and to improve constructability and the user experience.
In addition to its impact on the community, this bridge program was well-decorated by the AEC industry, earning accolades from the International Bridge Conference, American Institute of Steel Construction, National Steel Bridge Alliance and American Council of Engineering Companies.
