Improve: pedestrian safety across two of the highest trafficked and busiest urban streets in the state of Washington
Improve: mid-block pedestrian connections between Bellevue’s 600’ long superblocks, across the wide and very busy boulevards, without inhibiting the flow of vehicular traffic
Improve: pedestrian mobility between projects

Bellevue’s superblocks have always created a challenge for pedestrian crossings other than at main street intersections. Adjoining properties designed with street-fronting retail help activate the street and encourage pedestrians, but the magnitude of this intersection presented a challenge as to how to connect the properties and continue to encourage pedestrian activity. Crosswalk wait time was enough to discourage most pedestrians from trying to cross at grade. The solution required thoughtful attention to the flow of traffic and pedestrians; the solution came in the form of pedestrian bridges.

Working with key city planners over a period of years, an ordinance was created integrating pedestrian bridges into the streetscape. To safeguard the public realm, criteria regarding positioning, character, and connectivity of the bridges were written into City guidelines.

Design parameters require bridges to have exemplary artistic qualities and unenclosed sides allowing full awareness of sidewalk level activities. The bridges must connect upper level publically accessible space and be architecturally distinct from the buildings being connected and from each other. Cable supports allowed for lightening of the bridge deck, and mid-height glass side rails provide protection from the weather. Curved polycarbonate roofing provides diffused light onto the walking surface.

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