The Knoxville Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge over the Tennessee River

The subject bridge will connect the University of Tennessee campus on the northwest side of the river to an area locally called the “South Waterfront” across the river. This South Waterfront area is underdeveloped and in need of concepts to encourage improvements, which would provide a greater value and usefulness to the City of Knoxville. These economic and public use advancements also offer the University of Tennessee an opportunity to expand its facilities which are currently limited by its urban location. An important issue in the development of the bridge design is that the bridge structure stays completely clear of the Tennessee Valley Administration (TVA) right of way which borders the river banks, which means the bridge must span the entire river. The paper outlines the preliminary studies and the selection of the final structure, the structural elements used in the design of the bridge and the possible construction for its successful completion. The bridge structure exhibits a minimal amount of complicated details and thereby makes for a uniquely sustainable structure while still maintaining a strong aesthetical appearance.