OWNER: Albany Department of General Services, Albany, NY
ARCHITECT: Einhorn Yafee Prescot, Albany, NY
DESIGN ENGINEER: Clough, Harbour & Associates, Albany, NY
LIGHTING & ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR: Signal Ahead Inc., Melrose, NY
PRECAST CONCRETE CONTRACTOR: Fort Miller Co. Inc., Schylerville, NY
ORNAMENTAL CONCRETE BLOCK CONTRACTOR: A&K Slipforming Inc., Cobilskill, NY
ORNAMENTAL RAIL CONTRACTOR: Riverside Fab Inc., Glens Falls, NY
FOUNDATION CONTRACTOR: J&E Pile Driving, East Syracuse, NY
TRAFFIC CONSULTANT: Donnelly Construction Inc., Mechanicsville, NY
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Harrison & Burrowes Bridge Constructors Inc., Glenmont, NY

The Hudson River Way Pedestrian Bridge project is the culmination of an effort to reconnect modern downtown Albany and its historic waterfront. The 650-ft.-long by 24-ft.-wide, five-span bridge not only provides physical access, but serves as a virtual outdoor museum to celebrate the community's historic link to the Hudson River.

This $6.15 million bridge spans Interstate 787 Northbound and Southbound, It also spans the tracks of the Canadian Pacific Railroad. Included in the project is a pedestrian plaza, a decorative concrete staircase, an elevator building, an access ramp, drainage and streetscape improvements, engraved granite bricks on the bridge deck, ornamental lighting and fencing and integration of decorative elements and artwork that reflect Albany's history.

Among the project's many challenges was accommodating archaeological excavations in the bridge's vicinity. Archeological investigations uncovered the remnants of the city's original wooden defensive stockpiles near the west landing of the bridge. The project team also found a primitive brick storm and sanitary sewer from 1788. The discovery of these finds threatened to prolong the construction schedule. However, due to close cooperation between the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the city's archeologist and the general contractor, the general contractor was able to complete the excavations sooner than expected.

Design challenges were presented by a Design Steering Committee that was composed of local civic and business leaders. The Design Steering Committee's recommendations were incorporated into the design. In one instance, when the committee wanted stone facing on the bridge's decorative elements, a design element that would impact the project budget, an alternative material, textured concrete, was reached.

To create a link between the outdoor museum and the waterfront community, the bridge was lined with 30 concrete obelisks, each featuring unique artwork created by local artists. Each mural represents a time period in Albany's history by depicting artifacts uncovered in nearby archaeological excavations.

Another challenge was to integrate the historic theme of the bridge with the architecture of the surrounding modern city. This was accomplished with the choices for forms and materials. Landscape treatments of granite paving, black iron fencing, period lighting fixtures and signage also contributed to the solution for this challenge.

Finally, funding was a challenge for this project. While $3.3 million was provided in the form of state and federal aid, it was up to the city to raise the balance from other sources. A large portion of the funding was raised from private individuals and corporations in the Albany area who participated in the "Build it Brick by Brick" campaign. This campaign resulted in the sale of 10,000 personalized granite bricks purchased by local citizens, business organizations and civic groups, to pave the bridge.

The jury praised the project team for "successfully integrated an historic bridge with the architecture of the city. They also created a museum that connected the bridge to the waterfront community."