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Bridges
Below is a list of bridges in Wichita.
| Big Arkansas Pedestrian Bridge - Kent Williams, 1998 |
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Located over the Big Arkansas River near McLean/Meridian/Central.
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| Douglas Street Bridge - Vicki Scuri and Mark Spitzer, 1995-2000 |
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Located on Douglas over the Arkansas River.
Douglas Street Bridge is one of two 300' long, gateway, bridges that bracket downtown Wichita, providing a link between east and west, across the Arkansas River. The project features 65' high, stainless steel light towers that reflect the nautical theme of the river, and the aeronautical identity of Wichita, as “the Air Capital of the World.” Douglas Street Bridge is designed as a gathering place for special river events. The bridge has two levels of pedestrian walkways, framed with low-rise stairs for group seating. On this bridge the towers provide a passage between the low and high pedestrian walks, creating a ceremonial space. The barrier walls are patterned and textured with custom graphics. A special paving design enhances the pedestrian experience. At night, the towers are illuminated.
Vicki Scuri / Siteworks provided conceptual direction and approach for all elements including: railings, paving, wall treatments, and light towers. Specifically, the light towers are a collaboration of Vicki Scuri /Siteworks and Mark Spitzer Designs. |
| Eleventh Street Bridge - Randall Julian |
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Located on Eleventh Street between North River Boulevard and Oak Park Drive.
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| John Mack Bridge - James Barney Marsh (1854-1936), built 1930-31, rehabilitated 1997 |
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Located on Broadway between Pawnee and 31st Street South. On the Kansas Register of Historic Places and National Register of Historic Places.
Opened in July 1931, Wichita's southern gateway is reportedly the longest remaining rainbow truss bridge designed by James Barney Marsh (1854-1936). The 800-foot span of reinforced concrete consists of eight tied arches and is nationally acknowledged and locally revered for its aesthetic and historic significance. The bridge was named for John Mack of Newton, a member of the Kansas State Highway Commission. Mack was known as “the father of good Kansas roads.” In 1991, when the bridge was in danger of being demolished, a community effort was created to save and restore the bridge to its former splendor. The “Save the John Mack Bridge” campaign succeeded and in 1992 funds were allocated for restoration and the bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. (RHKP, NRHP)
Learn more about the history of the John Mack Bridge! |
| Lewis Street Bridge - Vicki Scuri & Mark Spitzer, 1995-2000 |
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Located on Lewis over Arkansas River.
Lewis Street Bridge is one of two 300' long, gateway, bridges that bracket downtown Wichita, providing a link between east and west, across the Arkansas River. The project features 40' high, stainless steel light towers that reflect the nautical theme of the river, and the aeronautical identity of Wichita, as “the Air Capital of the World.” The pier lookouts with light towers suggest a ship’s bow and mast. They echo the forms of the Jayhawk sailboat, a world class sailing vessel previously moored next to the bridge at the nearby boathouse. The barrier wall and paving are marked with lyrical patterns to create a celebratory space for pedestrian crossing. At night, the towers are illuminated.
Vicki Scuri / Siteworks provided conceptual direction and approach for all elements including: railings, paving, wall treatments, and light towers. Specifically, the light towers and lookout piers are a collaboration of Vicki Scuri / Siteworks with Mark Spitzer Designs. |
| Minisa Bridge - Glen H. Thomas (-), 1932, rehabilitated 2008-09 |
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Located on 13th Street North over the Little Arkansas River. On the Wichita Register of Historic Places.
The 40-foot wide, 251-foot long Minisa Bridge over the Little Arkansas River at Thirteenth Street was built in 1932. Glen H. Thomas designed the bridge with ornamental elements that complement the iconographic sculpture used on North High School. It features Native American and buffalo images made of Carthalite, a mixture of crushed colored glass and colored concrete. Students at North High School chose the name for the bridge. The translation from a Native American word, “Red Water”, signifies sunset on the river. The name was taken from the title of a symphonic poem composed by Thurlow Lieurance (1878-1963), Dean of University of Wichita Music Department. |
| Murdock Bridge |
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Located on Murdock over the Little Arkansas River. | Back to Top
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