• Tualatin Climate Action Plan

    Bridge Aesthetics Online Open House

  • Welcome!

  • Visualice este contenido en español.

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    Thank you for joining the Bridge Aesthetics Open House. The Bridge Aesthetics Committee has met 3 times this year to come up with recommendations for the look and feel of the bridge, and they're seeking feedback on those ideas.

    Stations

    This open house site has a series of "stations" where you can learn about the project and provide input. You can go directly to a station by using the navigation buttons at the top of each page or click "Next" to move through the stations in order.

    Be sure to click the “Submit” button on the final page (textures) to record your responses.

  • Bridge Aesthetics Overview

  • What is aesthetics?

    Aesthetics is a core design principle focused on pleasing the user. In visual terms, aesthetics includes factors such as balance, color, movement, pattern, scale, shape and visual weight.

    Aesthetics also extends to our other senses, which can shape our experiences by processing things like wind, vibration, smells, temperature and sound.

  • color

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  • How do aesthetics inform the design?

    While the main purpose of the bridge is functional—to carry people and goods from one side to the other—it’s also important that the bridge is appealing, both to look at and to use. What’s more, the bridge should express the region’s unique cultural identity and reflect the exceptional natural beauty of the Columbia River Gorge.

    The Bridge Aesthetics Committee has generated several ideas to help to guide this. The following stations outline some of their ideas for lighting, guardrails, overlooks and more.

    You won’t see recommendations for engineering decisions like the bridge type, lane width or alignment, as those are decisions to be made by the design/build team.

  • Illustration demonstrating different elements of the Bridge Asthetics Committe's role

  • What’s next for aesthetics?

    After receiving feedback from the public, the committee will compile its recommendations for aesthetic treatments (design features) into an Aesthetics Guidance Memorandum. The design/build team will use the memorandum as a guide as they make choices that affect the look and feel of the bridge.

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    Click the image to enlarge in a new tab

  • Theme & Goals

  • Bridge Aesthetics Theme

    Why does the bridge need a theme?

    An aesthetic theme will help tie the different elements of the bridge together, and ensure the bridge feels like one cohesive structure. An aesthetic theme also gives the bridge a distinctive character that reflects the Gorge communities.

    This theme will help the bridge designers choose which style and finishes to use so different elements of the bridge (such as lampposts and benches) match or complement one another.

    This is the theme the Bridge Aesthetics Committee came up with:

    Natural Elements (Wind, Volcano/Mountain, Water, Earth)

    This theme represents the convergence of different natural elements found at the bridge site. It combines several individual concepts proposed by committee members.

    Examples of proposed concepts that relate to each of the natural elements are:

  • Mt Hood and the surrounding mountains

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    Nch’i-Wána / “The Big River”

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    Columnar basalt and other local materials

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    Embracing the strong winds

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  • Question

     

  • Functional Goals

    The committee also identified functional goals for the bridge. Together, these serve as guiding principles for the bridge designers to follow.

  • One community

    In many ways, the areas connected by the bridge function as a single community. The bridge enables this connectedness. To emphasize this unity, the committee recommends no signage marking the border between Washington and Oregon or Hood River and White Salmon.

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  • Public space

    This project provides an opportunity to create a new shared public space through the construction of walking/biking/rolling paths and overlooks. Given the length of the bridge (about 1 mile), this is a significant amount of space for a new public amenity.

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  • Be sure to click the “Submit” button on the final page (textures) to record your responses.

  • Bridge Features

  • Shared path railing

    Railings function as a safety measure, protecting bridge users from falling off the bridge. They can also provide protection from wind. Visually, railings can serve as a defining feature of the bridge.

    Railing assumptions:  

    • A railing is required to separate those walking/biking/rolling on the shared path from the river 
    • The railing will be located on the west side (downstream side) of the bridge 
    • Railing height must meet engineering standards 
    • Railing design will likely resist climbing  

  • illutration of shared path railing from a pedestrian's view

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  • Question

     

  • Rank the following statements based on how strongly you agree with them (1 being your top priority)

    The railing along the shared path should...

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  • Be sure to click the “Submit” button on the final page (textures) to record your responses.

  • Traffic barrier

    This traffic barrier will be a physical divider that separates vehicle traffic from other modes of traffic, such as walking and biking. While safety requirements will determine some aspects of the barrier, other elements of the barrier, such as textures and treatments, are open to discussion.

    Barrier assumptions:

    • Will meet traffic safety requirements 
    • Will be on either side of vehicular traffic lanes 
    • Will likely be made of concrete with either a steel rail on top or completely concrete 

  • illustration of traffice barrier illustration of traffice barrier

  • Question

     

  • Rank the following statements based on how strongly you agree with them (1 being your top priority)

    The traffic barrier should...

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  • Be sure to click the “Submit” button on the final page (textures) to record your responses.

  • Lighting

    In addition to helping people see, lighting helps set a mood. Targeted lighting can draw attention to specific details. However, light can also disrupt the natural behaviors of wildlife and contribute to light pollution.

    Lighting assumptions:

    • Light levels will be minimal while meeting government safety regulations
    • Lighting will minimize light pollution (fixtures will be fully recessed with a shielded top)
    • Lighting will be used only where needed
    • LEDs will be warm (in terms of color temperature) to reduce impact to habitat and people

  • decorative

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  • Question

     

  • Rank the following statements based on how strongly you agree with them (1 being your top priority)

    The lighting on the bridge should...

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  • Be sure to click the “Submit” button on the final page (textures) to record your responses.

  • Shared path surface

    Shared paths use space efficiently, but limited space can also create conflicts between different types of users, such as pedestrians and cyclists.

    While some aspects of the shared walking/biking/rolling path will be determined by engineering and safety requirements, aesthetic treatments such as concrete surface finishing, textures and imprints (stamped images) can help define different parts of a shared-use path.

    Shared path assumptions:

    • Overall width of the shared path is 12 feet
    • The path will comply with ADA Standards for Accessible Design
    • The path will be separated from motor vehicles by a traffic barrier (see previous station)
    • The path will accommodate pedestrians, cyclists and those rolling over the bridge

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  • Question

     

  • Rank the following statements based on how strongly you agree with them (1 being your top priority)

    The shared path surface should...

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  • Be sure to click the “Submit” button on the final page (textures) to record your responses.

  • Overlooks

    One of the new bridge’s most important features will be the views from its deck. Viewpoints along the shared use path will provide an opportunity for those walking, biking and rolling across the bridge to stop and appreciate the beautiful views of the Columbia River Gorge and surrounding scenery.

    The Bridge Aesthetics Committee intends these overlooks to provide a new public amenity for the community.

    Overlook assumptions:

    • The overlooks will only be on the west side (downstream side) of the bridge, accessible from the shared use path
    • There will be at least 2 overlooks
    • Overlooks will include benches
    • Overlooks will not be accessible to vehicular traffic

  • decorative Illustration of an overlook

  • Question

     

  • Rank the following statements based on how strongly you agree with them (1 being your top priority)

    The bridge overlooks should...

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  • Be sure to click the “Submit” button on the final page (textures) to record your responses.

  • Approaches

    The approaches are the areas leading up to either end of the bridge. A well-executed approach connects the bridge seamlessly to the communities around it. Approaches can also feature signs or artwork that help give the bridge a distinct identity.

    Approach assumptions:

    • Any decorations must comply with state highway requirements
    • Coordination with the neighboring cities will be required to complete the approaches and the bike/pedestrian/roadway connections to the bridge

  • decorative

  • Question

     

  • Rank the following statements based on how strongly you agree with them (1 being your top priority)

    The bridge approaches should...

  • Be sure to click the “Submit” button on the final page (textures) to record your responses.

  • Roundabout (Washington side)

    The Washington approach to the bridge will be redeveloped from a three-way light-controlled intersection to a roundabout. The center of this roundabout will provide a space for landscaping, signs and/or artwork.

    Roundabout assumptions:

    • The roundabout will comply with WSDOT requirements
    • WSDOT’s policy encourages landscaping to calm traffic

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  • Question

     

  • Rank the following statements based on how strongly you agree with them (1 being your top priority)

    The center of the roundabout should...

  • Be sure to click the “Submit” button on the final page (textures) to record your responses.

  • Interpretive Signage

    Federal and local statutes require the bridge to include interpretive signage. Interpretive signs (as opposed to wayfinding signs that tell you where to go) provide information about an area’s unique history and identity. They can help tourists (and locals, too) better understand and appreciate what they might be seeing or how the area came to be a certain way.

    Approach assumptions:

    • Local tribes will have input on sign content
    • Federal requirements dictate that signs must commemorate existing bridge as well as the history of river crossings in the region

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  • Question

     

  • Rank the following statements based on how strongly you agree with them (1 being your top priority)

    Interpretive signage on the bridge and its approaches should focus on…

  • Be sure to click the “Submit” button on the final page (textures) to record your responses.

  • Color

    Visually, color is often the first thing we notice about a structure. To comply with the Gorge Scenic Area Management Plan and to fit with the theme of natural elements, the Bridge Aesthetics Committee recommends keeping colors of the bridge and any furnishings (lampposts, benches, etc.) to darker natural tones, rather than bright colors or bright whites.

    Color assumptions:

    • The bridge structure will likely be made of concrete or a combination of concrete and steel
    • The Gorge National Scenic Area Plan requires steel to be painted a dark color
    • There are various ways to incorporate color into concrete: paint the surface, stain the surface, mix color into the concrete, or a combination of those

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  • Question

     

  • Rank the following statements based on how strongly you agree with them (1 being your top priority)

    The color I would most like to see incorporated into the bridge is...

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  • Be sure to click the “Submit” button on the final page (textures) to record your responses.

  • Texture

    Casting concrete can add an artistic element to a structure through surface textures that create interesting light/shadow patterns. These patterns can convey a theme and have the potential to be one of the most striking features of the bridge.

    Texture assumptions:

    • The concrete supports under the bridge could include textures created during the casting process. These would be visible from shore and the river
    • Any texture treatment on the bridge will reflect the natural elements theme

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  • Question

     

  • Rank the following statements based on how strongly you agree with them (1 being your top priority)

    The type of texture I would most like to see incorporated into the bridge is...

  • Please be sure to submit your answers below!

  • Thank you for your feedback and supporting the design of the new bridge!

    We will have more information available this summer.

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