This week, the steel superstructure of the Ralph Wilson Park Bridge arrived at its new home in Buffalo, New York, after travelling from its fabrication site in Italy.
schlaich bergermann partner (sbp) designed the enclosed steel tied-arch structure to span across Interstate I-190 and link the new Ralph Wilson Park with the Lower West Side neighborhood of Buffalo.
The bridge’s journey began in early 2024, when it was prefabricated in the workshop of the Italian steel fabricator Cimolai near Venice. It was then shipped across the Atlantic Ocean in four sections, arriving in New York on June 24th. From there, the sections were reloaded onto a barge and transported through the historic Erie Canal before reaching the park’s Lake Erie shoreline. Along its route, the bridge’s passage through numerous locks generated great interest from spectators and excitement among local communities.
To permit quick installation, the bridge will now be assembled nearby and lifted into its final location in one piece using self-propelled modular transporters (SPMT) and a gantry system. Installation of the superstructure is slated for the fall of 2024. Later phases of the project will connect the park’s trails with the bridge, making it accessible to pedestrians and cyclists.
We are looking forward to the completion of this project and feel proud to enrich Buffalo’s architectural heritage with this innovative signature bridge!
