Northern Avenue Bridge Fort Point Channel

[BostonUrbEx]

The only problem I see with a park on a bridge is that bridges are more expensive than terra firma. So the same park on land costs more on a bridge. That said, I don't think having ONE bridge with a park on it is such a major problem, as it'd be unique and I'd certainly enjoy the hell out of it. I prefer parks that are unique and each have their own features, and as someone who enjoys bridges and oceanography, a bridge park would be cool. And if you don't, well, I also think that a long, boring, utilitarian walk could certainly stand to use some benches for resting and some visual interests. So, you know, the very basics of creating good public space.

 

[Brad Plaid]

Pretty much every square inch of the water's edge in the Seaport and on to the Aquarium and way beyond that is accessible by the Harbor Walk or public sidewalks. There is substantial open space at the Courthouse, a large new playground and a large boardwalk at the Children's Museum to say nothing of the entirety of the Kennedy Greenway just across the channel. That's plenty of public realm, when is enough enough? An expensive to build and maintain bridge with a park folly on it is just gilding the lily.

 

[BostonUrbEx]

That's plenty of public realm, when is enough enough?

You're taking the comment the wrong way. I'm not saying there's not enough park space. I'm saying that if you think a bridge is a horrible place to be, much akin to walking along a blank wall on a landscraper or down a service alley, then some park features will make the walk less daunting.

 

[Vagabond]

The City of Boston invites you to an Online Meeting, Hosted on Zoom,
for the
Northern Avenue Bridge Project
A Boston Bold Design
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

News and Meetings — Northern Avenue Bridge

News and Meetings

www.northernavebridgebos.com

 

[stefal]

A Boston Bold Design

News and Meetings — Northern Avenue Bridge

News and Meetings

www.northernavebridgebos.com

Website flyer indicates a design has been chosen. Finally...

 

[chrisbrat]

boston.com confirming, plus video

 

[stefal]

boston.com confirming, plus video

You beat me to it...

They definitely went camera-rotation happy on that video, jeez..

Also of note:

Officials say the design will be 100 percent complete by the end of the year, ahead of major construction next year. According to Jayasinghe, they’re aiming for a ribbon-cutting in 2022.

The city has earmarked roughly $100 million for the project, though Jayasinghe noted that the financial effects of the coronavirus has made things “challenging.”

Facebook comments about 95% negative currently...

 

[BeeLine]

Another missed opportunity!!!! It's like a blind committee describing a cow. A bit of everything, but no cosistency, form or style.

P.S. I think the North Washington is a much better design effort.

 

[HelloBostonHi]

boston.com confirming, plus video

Design aside, I must know what software they used for that rendering, that's truly the most incredible rendering I've seen for a project ever I think. The photorealism and the reflections and moving water...

Also purely logistical, but I really really hope Boston has learned from the likes of London Bridge, you CANNOT have unimpeded vehicular access into a pedestrian zone otherwise you risk a catastrophic terrorist incident. So realistically that bus lane would have to be absolutely surrounded by bollards to keep vehicles in it, which really changes the aesthetics.

 

[jass]

It doesnt look like an improvement over the current bridge at all.

 

[Vagabond]

It's a highway bridge, with the pedestrian component in full exposure and resembling a redesigned underpass like over by ink-block. Harborwalk connection? Awkward. Space for summer shops/food trucks? Nope. Protection for winter winds? Nope. Bikeway connections? Nope. Elevated harbor observation point? Pfff- let's put a couple benchs under the noisy road.

You can already tell they wanted cars to become it's primary users and designed it expressly to promote that purpose.

 

[Mongo]

It's a highway bridge, with the pedestrian component in full exposure and resembling a redesigned underpass like over by ink-block. Harborwalk connection? Awkward. Space for summer shops/food trucks? Nope. Protection for winter winds? Nope. Bikeway connections? Nope. Elevated harbor observation point? Pfff- let's put a couple benchs under the noisy road.

You can already tell they wanted cars to become it's primary users and designed it expressly to promote that purpose.

Except that the only motor vehicles on this will be busses. The outer sides of it are no more pedestrian unfriendly than the seaport boulevard bridge and the center walkway/park thing shields you from the wind.

 

[stefal]

I understand that preserving and honoring history were goals to keep in mind here, but this design as is doesn't work or do that exceptionally well. I don't know what I would have done in their position either, other than designing a replica, which I wouldn't prefer here... There's just too much clashing going on here.

 

[393b40]

It's a really bad design. The pedestrian part is below the elevated road part... that's going to be fucking awful in the winter with slush splash.

 

[Java King]

It's a really bad design. The pedestrian part is below the elevated road part... that's going to be fucking awful in the winter with slush splash.

They did address that in the question and answer part after the main presentation. They said the upper deck slopes AWAY from the lower inside pedestrian area.

Anyway in my humble opinion, the upper truss structure is way too small in comparison to the width of the new bridge. It just doesn't look proportionally correct to me. Denser or bigger trusses or something would have been better.

The presentation took 20 minutes at the beginning describing the MANY MANY MANY contributors and stakeholders. It reminds me of designing almost anything by a large committee..........it just never ends well.

 

[CSTH]

The approach on the seaport side involves raising the level of northern ave into a ramp starting from about sleeper st. The video shows this with a new set of stairs in front of the courthouse, at about 30 seconds. What it only barely shows is how much the ramp is going to crowd the barking crab. That little woonerf space in front of the Crab is one of the best parts of the new seaport and I would have to see made less good by some awkward grade transitioning there.

I recognize that the 'ramp' is inevitable if we're going to go with a fixed bridge here but it still sucks that its going to jam up this little corner so much

 

[commuter guy]

Anyway in my humble opinion, the upper truss structure is way too small in comparison to the width of the new bridge. It just doesn't look proportionally correct to me. Denser or bigger trusses or something would have been better.

My thoughts as well - the trusses appear much too spindly.

 

[stefal]

The approach on the seaport side involves raising the level of northern ave into a ramp starting from about sleeper st. The video shows this with a new set of stairs in front of the courthouse, at about 30 seconds. What it only barely shows is how much the ramp is going to crowd the barking crab. That little woonerf space in front of the Crab is one of the best parts of the new seaport and I would have to see made less good by some awkward grade transitioning there.

I recognize that the 'ramp' is inevitable if we're going to go with a fixed bridge here but it still sucks that its going to jam up this little corner so much

Yeah, the video makes it look very awkward. Appears like the Crab is depressed by ~4ft.. definitely won't have the same character.. wonder if outdoor seating will still be an option. Likely a result of storm surge protection and planning requirements.

 

[stick n move]

Yikes^

 

[jass]

Except that the only motor vehicles on this will be busses.

Sure, thats what they say. But by building it for vehicles, all it takes to allow all cars to use it is changing a sign.

It would be many times cheaper if it was designed only for peds, because you wouldnt need to support the weight of heavy vehicles.