Suggested fine-tuning of bridge and park designs to best activate the Providence Riverfront

“A Signature Riverfront Park”

Observations by Barnaby Evans on the East Side Park, West Side Park,

and the Pedestrian Bridge

The Final Capstone to the 30 years of planning for the opening of

the Providence Rivers

These comments are not related to WaterFire’s needs, but are a review based on my experience downtown to provide the best benefit for the

community. We met with the city in June of 2013, and were asked then to wait until the 30% plans before

making any further comment.

RIDOT and the I-195 Commission inherited design decisions made by

others for the Pedestrian Bridge and two adjoining parks. These inherited designs were based on

conditions that have now changed.

Some of the changes include:

• The much needed dredging has been postponed with no date for completion or any available funds

• The desired extension of the Riverwalk to South St Landing now possible

• CRMC is now saying developers need to plan for a +3’ rise in sea level

The goal of this review is to “fine-tune” the current plans to

respond to these changed conditions while maximizing the potential

benefits the site offers.

These are not new ideas.The Final Environmental Impact Statement included all of them:

• Dredging the river from shore to shore• Continuous riverwalks along the water• Boat access to the Old Harbor district• Improved boat docking and tie-ups• Handicap dock access for water taxi• Create a new maritime focused district

Old Harbor Plan:

• Continuous Riverwalks• Focus on the River and

the Old Harbor• Water Taxi Stops (*)• Accommodation for boat

landings and docking• Development facing and

celebrating the river• An actively used

riverfront for boating

The district’s success will flow from the site’s core distinctive attributes:

• The beauty of the river• Proximity to water• Expanded boat / maritime activity• Access to riverwalks and bike paths• Connect to city’s maritime history• Proximity to excellent parks

Adjusting the design for the changed conditions creates many benefits:

1. Adjusting the bridge height due to postponeddredging and expected sea level rise willbetter accommodate boat traffic on the river

2. The now possible connection to South St Landingwith a continued Riverwalk will maximize the water experience and accommodate boats

3. New connection to South Street Landing will increase the focus and visibility of the river

We are urging the Commission to make 3x changes to the bridge and

park plans to assure a more successful park and waterfront district:

1. Raise the east end of the bridge to allow better boat traffic access and to provide head room for the Riverwalk

2. Continue Riverwalk to South St. Landing

3. Move the path in the park to create more useable park area with a view of the river

1.Create a boat friendly destination by assuring that the bridge height

and the new waterfront best accommodates boat traffic, as

impacted by shallow drafts, narrow clearances and predicted

rises in sea level

Barriers to boating:

• Bridge elevations are very low

• Very limited public landings or tie-ups

• East Side Park has no boating access

• River too shallow and needs dredging

• High bridge clearance not over channel

• No accessible dock or site for one

Restrictions to NavigationLow bridges and shallow water limit access

19.8 acres 10 acres

channel

too shallow too shallow low bridge low bridge

no access

no access

34.8’21.0’

9.4’ 11.2’

8.9’

Increase and Coordinate Bridge Clearances

To increase boating activity we must eliminate obstacles to navigation. All infrastructure should be planned to maximize bridge clearances, plus dredging is needed.

The 11.2’ center clearance on pedestrian bridge is not in alignment with the boat channel along the west shore.

8.4’

The channel is the yellow zone, along the extreme west shore.[US Army Corps survey done June 2009, now considerably shallower]

Current design has a clearance of +11.2’, but only at mid-span where the river is too shallow. Clearance in the navigation channel is +8.4’. High tides can be +2.5’ above PMHW, so clearance at high tide can be down to 5.9’ in the channel.

Bridge RFP requested “minimum of 10 ft. at the center span of the bridge, however, it is preferred that bridge designs accommodate a minimum of 12 ft. of clearance … the deep water channel ... runs between the first two piers (westernmost).”

BridgeHighest Where

Too Shallow

BridgeLowest OverBoat Channel

West Side

Providence River Bridge Clearances

I-195 Bridge 34.8’Hurricane Barrier Tainter Gate 21.0’Point Street (current) 9.4’ > 16’Pedestrian Bridge at channel 8.4’ Pedestrian Bridge at mid-span 11.2’ Crawford Street Bridge (at peak) 8.9’College Street Bridge 8.2’Washington Street Bridge 9.4’Exchange Street Bridge 10.1’Waterplace Bridge 8.5’General Pershing Bridge 6.8’Francis Street Bridge 20.7’

BAYZONE should be higher

LOWRIVERZONE

Point St Bridge can be modified to improve clearance to about 16’. Even before this is done, the 19.8 acres of water can activate this area, provided the new pedestrian bridge’s elevation is high enough to accommodate the potential boating activity.

This protected basin would be perfect for a fleet of Optiand Bug sailboats to help city kids learn to sail.

The Opti and Bug sailboats, both manufactured in RI, are ideal for children and learners in a protected space. They require an 11’ clearance and have centerboards needing depth. As tides rise above PMHW, we need as high an air clearance as possible.

Clearance at Point St Bridge is currently 9.4’

But we should not build infrastructure that assumes this is a long-term limit. The 11.2’ thick steel understructure is no longer needed

to support the original cantilever extension of 110’.

Bridge can be modified to be provide a 16’ clearance for boats.

Clearance at Point St Bridge could be 16’

Pilings and a boat channel can be inserted into the structure to create a boat clearance up to 16’.


Clearance at Point St Bridge could be 16’

Bridge can be easily modified to provide a 40’ wide passage with 16’ clearance


New Boat Channel

Spring Lo (-4.95’)

Revised level span proposed

Current Curved Span Proposal

No Change to Deck or East Half of Bridge

PROPOSAL: • No change to center or east half of bridge• Build exact planned span for west half,

but rotate up west end 4’ to horizontal

Rotate west span 4’ higher to level


Spring High (+1.65’)

PMHW

Spring Low (-4.95’)

To be dredged (FEIS -15’)

Revised Level Span Proposal

Current Curved Span Proposal

Arc of arch is not critical or evenapparent to bridge design

A level span opens three bays to boats

Full clearance now aligns with deep channel


Current Bridge Span Arc Does Not Allow Pedestrians to Confirm a Clear Passage Before Crossing

Sight line from far side for 5’-5” person; Blind area is shown in beige

Floor level of flat bridge span

Beige Zoneis Blind Area

Person Standing on Level Span is Visible

Person Standing on Planned Span is Not Visible

Raising the bridge span to a level span on the west side would allow a 5’-5” person to see over the bridge arc to see someone on the other side

Advantages Gained from Level Span:

• Full clearance for boats over entire length• Places high elevation over the boat channel• Allows Riverwalk to pass under bridge• Improves cross-bridge span visibility • Allows less expensive, channel only,

dredging option; reduces dredging costs• Best meets CRMC goal for rising sea level• Slightly less expensive construction cost

Limitations/Costs of Proposed Span:

• Highest boat clearance limited to mid-span• High clearance not aligned with channel• Deep channel has 2.8’ lower air clearance• Blocks continuation of the Riverwalk• Blocked cross-bridge span visibility • Dredging a channel to allow boats to use

mid-span is very expensive and require annual dredging of 13,300 CY of material

• Does not meet CRMC goal for sea level rise• Curved span more expensive to build

Bridge Changes are Simple and Fast:

• No new load, foundation or span calculations are needed

• Design/engineering changes are “trivial”• 3D Curved I-beams easily collapse into 2D• Existing Pier 5 can be duplicated for 6 & 7• 2D Curved I-beams will be less expensive • Ipe fascia panels will be less complicated• Fewer retaining walls required on West

side abutment shore and in park

2.Capitalize on the newly possible

connection to South Street Landing to continue the Riverwalk, to maximize the water experience,

and best accommodate boating.

The Riverwalk should continue along the west shore of the river:

• to make the park an active Waterfront Park• to provide water access for park goers• to provide continuity to South Street Landing• to serve as boat landings and tie-ups the area• to connect to a future dock site• to reduce the angle of the shore slope• to eliminate the hazard/blight of the riprap • to connect to a bridge across the Ship St inlet• Possible funding as state bike path?

Riverwalk built in first phase of project specifically to assure its continuance in next phase.

Riverwalk allows boat access and greatly increases useable area in the park.

Riprap is dangerous and does not allow boat access or proximity to the water.

Steepest case slope to river

Current Proposal

Worst case slope to river

More moderate sloped bank to a rise of 10’:• Showing 2’ high meadow grass infill• Blocked public access with no use of river bank• Three retaining walls needed• Retention of riprap slopes

Current Proposal

Current Proposal

Path moves inward away from river, bank is planted so as not to be accessible; loss of park space, lack of river engagement and difficult to maintain meadows to look good.

Current Proposal

no boat access

no boat access

This is no boat access on the entire east side of the river.

Extending the riverwalk on the west side and adding a dock in the cove, will allow boaters to tie-up and access the new park, so they can cross the bridge to go to restaurants and businesses on both sides of the river.

Current Proposal

no boat access

no boat access

no boat access

Current Proposal

no boat access

no boat access

Revised Proposalboat access

boat access

boat access

Revised Proposalboat access

boat access

Revised Proposal

Advantages Gained from Riverwalk:

• Continues Riverwalk system• Continues water theme in park• Provides close proximity to water• Allows boat tie-up along full length

and near the bridge• Allows installation of accessible docks• Is a safer shore condition• Provides more walking options• Adds another viewpoint of bridge & shore

Possible Phasing of Riverwalk:

If necessary, the Riverwalk can be added later when funds are found. Current

development must not preclude subsequent development. For example, the sheet piles

needed to replace the riprap, cannot be driven once the bridge span is in place, so

this area of work should be done now.

Possible Additional Funding for the Riverwalk:

The recent availability of the South Street Landing riverfront for an extension of the

Riverwalk, would allow the creation of over ½ mile of bike and walking path entirely

separated from automobile traffic. This improvement should be eligible for federal

transportation enhancement funds.

3.The new connection to South Street

Landing permits a reorientation of the West Side Park to become a better

“Signature WaterFront Park” with enhanced views and better

engagement of the river

West Park is the capstone to the 30-year River Relocation and

a “Signature WaterFront Park”

• But the park has no accessible waterfront

• Most of the park has no view of the river

• Keeps visitors away from experiencing water

• Has no boat access or boat tie-ups

• Has no docks or boating features

It is possible to inexpensively adjust the park design

to create a waterfront experience, to reorient more park views to the

river and to provide safe access to boats and the water.

Current Proposal

Most of the West Side Park will have no view of the river

due to the topography of the site.

No View of River

Standing on Dorrance Street even before adding any fill to create the ramps up to the 12’ bridgehead, there is no view of the river

No View of River

Landscape rise to the bridge blocks the viewof the river for most areas of the park

Current Proposal

The added slopes further block any view of the river

No View of River

This is a large park with spacefor several uses or “rooms”

Same space as 3x parks

Current Proposal

One RoomOne Use –Focused on stage (not in current plan)

Current Proposal

Revised Proposal

Four Rooms:Performance Lawn

River ViewLawn

Cove View Lawn

Revised Proposal

River ViewLawn

Current Proposal

Revised Proposal

Performance Lawn

Current Proposal

No Boat Access

No Access

No Riverwalk

No Access

No Boat Access

No Access

PerformanceLawn

River View Lawn

River View Lawn

Cove View Lawn

Revised Proposal

Riverwalk

Riverwalk

Boat Access

Boat Access

View from the Performance Lawn

View from the River View Lawn

View from the Cove View Lawn

Many cities are investingin city beaches

Or making parks where you can sit

and enjoy water views

Current Proposed Low Bridge

8.4’ Clearance over water – TOO LOW 5’ 10” Clearance over path – TOO LOW FOR PASSAGE

Too low for walkway beneath bridge

Revised with Suggested Level Bridge Span

12.4’ Clearance over water – BETTER 9’ 10” Clearance over path – EXCELLENT, + 2’ for future

12.4’ Clearance over water – BETTER9’ 10” Clearance over path – EXCELLENT, + 2’ for future


Red ramp showing only adjustment needed in park to accommodate 4’ higher bridge


Only change needed to accommodate higher bridge

Grand vertical sculpture site now on alignment with 6 axes

Grand VerticalSculpture

PlazaArea

Advantages from Park Reorientation:

• Returns focus of West Side Park to river• Creates three gathering spots

overlooking the riverfront• Creates four rooms, each with a

different character and focus• Adds 30,000 SF of park area• Creates gathering spots facing the sun• Creates 4 “rooms”, with views of

downtown, historic port, river and cove • Fewer walls, so less expensive

(4).

An additional concern is about the success and durability of the

proposed lighting on the bridge and the our capacity to be able to

maintain it.

Vertical lighting fixtures every 5’ in the posts will blind visitors to the night-time experience of the view of the city

These are all lighting fixtures at an accessible ground level, subject to vandalism, theft and skate boards.

The lights and benches are likely to attract skate board activity that can cause damage.

P R O V I D E N C E R I V E R P E D E S T R I A N B R I D G E

BENCH AND L IGHT ING ELEMENT S

These lighting fixtures will be brighter in the eyes than this illustration suggests


These benches and light fixtures look likely to be subject to damage, vandalism, theft and skate boards

Recommendations:1. Raise the bridge elevation to a level span to

align with channel, best accommodate boattraffic on the river and allow headroom for path

2. Continue the Riverwalk to South Street Landingto maximize the water experience, and accommodate boats landings and a dock

3. Align the path to the South Street Landing bridgeto create sloping Riverview Lawns to feature and celebrate the Waterfront

4. Evaluate bridge lighting for its effect on views &vulnerability to vandalism – request full mockup


Thank You

for your service to our community

Suggested fine-tuning of bridge and park designs to best activate the Providence Riverfront

Design

Transcript of Suggested fine-tuning of bridge and park designs to best activate the Providence Riverfront