Grasshopper Pedestrian Bridge

City of Phoenix, Arizona

The Grasshopper Pedestrian Bridge, located in Moon Valley Park, replaces an at-grade crossing of a large wash that runs through the park. Children cross the wash, which is about 160 feet wide and carries 100 year flows up to 9,400 cfs, on their way to and from school. The City was concerned that children would cross when the wash was flooded. To ensure that children would use the new bridge, the City used an artist to develop an innovative, playful design. The bridge is made of two steel trusses connected at a center concrete pier; the basic structural elements take the shape of two giant grasshoppers. 

Winner of the Federal Highway Award of Excellence and other awards.