Aurora's RiverEdge Park Pedestrian Bridge Named Best Landscape Project

AURORA, IL — The RiverEdge Park Pedestrian Bridge in Aurora is now an award winner. Engineering News-Record Midwest Magazine named it the 2022 Best Project in Landscape and Urban Development, officials announced.

Part of the city's master plan to develop Aurora's historic downtown district, the bridge provides a safe river crossing for pedestrians and cyclists. The bridge connects RiverEdge Park on the east side of the Fox River with neighborhoods, parks and trails on the west side.

Developed by global engineering group TYLin, designers developed eight bridge concepts along four alignment profiles for the project before landing on the seven-span concrete girder structure with an elegant S-curve alignment, officials said.

"The graceful bridge profile creates a dynamic crossing experience with scenic views in all directions," city officials said in a news release.

Part of the innovative design is a central beam "spine" from which two pathways cantilever on either side. The goal for the paths was to allow for faster commuter bicyclists to ride separately from slower-moving pedestrians.

"Congratulations to the project team, including the City of Aurora's Engineering Department and TYLin, the global engineering design firm," city officials said.