Inauguration of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge on March 29,2012.
The Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, designed by Santiago Calatrava, is a bridge in Dallas, Texas, that spans the Trinity River. The cable-stayed bridge supports its 368 m total length and its 184 m main span with a steel arch whose peak’s height is at 122 m. The arch is constructed from steel tube sections stacked one on top of the other and welded in place.
Photo: Fkbowen
An array of twisting cables connect the underside of the arch’s curved pylon to the bridge’s platform. Fifty-eight white strands descend from the arch and secure themselves along the centerline of the platform. The 4.9m diameter support is comprised of 25 individual segments, secured with 9,000 kg of bolts and an additional 450 tons of concrete.
The bridge provides six lanes for vehicular traffic. The bridge closely resembles two of three bridges constructed in 2005-2006 above the Autostrada A1 motorway and connecting roads in Reggio Emilia, Italy, that Calatrava had earlier designed.
Photo: Michael Barera
The bridge is an aesthetically stunning structure that serves as a new icon for the city’s skyline. Since the arched pylon rose out of the ground in 2010, the bridge has become a landmark for Dallas. The bridge received a ECCS Award For Steel Bridges in 2012. The steelwork was fabricated and assembled by Cimolai Group.
About the Author:
Bruno Dursin – Managing Director at Believe in Steel. Bruno has more than 30 years of experience in promoting steel & steel solutions. His clients benefit from his extensive network within the building industry.
