MLK Bridge in National, State Spotlight
Fort Wayne, Ind. – The City of Fort Wayne's Traffic Engineering Department and local design firm DLZ Indiana, LLC, will receive state and national recognition for outstanding work on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge. Over the next week, the City will receive two honors, an award for Engineering Excellence and another for Achievement in the design of an Urban Bridge.
On, Tuesday, March 5, the Indiana Partnership for Transportation Quality will award the City with the Achievement Award for an Urban Bridge. The award recognizes the teamwork that involved multiple agencies, innovation in the bridge design that has made a significant contribution to the City's downtown and sets a standard for future projects, and citizen involvement in working with the design team and City engineers on the memorial aspects and characteristics of the bridge. Today's award presentation will occur in West Lafayette at the annual Purdue Road School conference.
Next week, on Monday, March 11, the American Council of Engineering Companies will honor City Engineers and DLZ with the Engineering Excellence Merit Award. The award acknowledges distinguishing engineering design features on the bridge, including the soaring 50-foot arch, sculptural etchings and plaques with quotes from Dr. King; the connection to Headwaters Park and the Rivergreenway; the safer pedestrian access that separates sidewalks from traffic and adds seating; and the spectacular color-changing lights.
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge was dedicated on June 4, 2012. More than 2,000 residents turned out for the dedication ceremony. The bridge has quickly become an iconic landmark and gateway into the downtown.
Late last year, the Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects recognized the MLK bridge construction partners -- DLZ, RL McCoy, the Indiana Department of Transportation, and the City of Fort Wayne – with an Honor Award for Constructed Works. The award recognizes the bridge's design for its context and appropriateness; ability to extend the 'envelope;' innovative ideas; appropriate use of materials and techniques; and continuity and concept. The MLK Bridge was the only Indiana project to receive recognition from ASLA.