The bridge will be an important link to future developments in the Central Platte Valley as well as the city's new Common Parks, an important amenity for the area. The bridge is easily identified by the 200-foot tall, 110-ton mast and cabling system that help to support the structure.

"This entire structure is much more than a bridge" says Mark Smith, a principal of East West Partners, who heads the $1-billion Riverfront Project. "It is an architectural and engineering marvel -- an amazing piece of public art. Everyone who visits Denver will notice it, and they will now be able to easily explore and experience all the exciting things that will be happening in the Central Platte Valley."

According to engineers working on the project, the design complexities of this asymmetrical bridge with a single mast to support the structure could not have been accomplished without recent technological advances in structural design. The dominant feature of the bridge is the mast, which acts not only as a sculptural marker, but structurally as the compression strut between the back stay cables inclined towards the city and the deck cables inclined towards the park.

The architect who designed the bridge and mast is Steve Chucovich of Architecture Denver. The engineering team headed by John Beckwith-Smith of Ove Arup from New York City completed the structural design for the bridge. The contractor for the bridge was Edward Kraemer & Sons of Castle Rock, lead by Tim Maloney. Construction management is by Washington Infrastructure with Brian McLaren as manager.

"By both being a functional and sculptural structure, this bridge creates an impressive mark on the Denver skyline," says Bernie Niznik, the project manager for the bridge and Riverfront Park. "It's comparable to the unique dominance that the TransAmerica building lends to the San Francisco skyline."

A number of companies were involved with the city of Denver in bringing the Millennium Bridge and mast to the Central Platte Valley. East West Partners, Legacy Partners, Archstone and Greystar all have developments underway in the Central Platte Valley and have contributed a great deal of time and capital to the bridge project.

"Many of the companies who are playing a significant role in the development of the Central Platte Valley have come together as a team to turn the area into a very significant part of Denver's future," Smith says.

Instant Insights /

$9M Bridge Opens Door to Valley Development

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