Aesthetics, Design-Build, and Workhorse Bridges

Design requirements for workhorse bridges, such as highway overpasses, underpasses, and interchange ramps, traditionally have been oriented to addressing site constraints, conforming to codes and standards, meeting utilitarian needs, and minimizing construction costs. This practice of exclusively addressing economic and utilitarian requirements has often resulted in a highway landscape that the public characterizes as monotonous or disconnected from the surrounding urban or natural environment. This concern regarding the aesthetics of workhorse bridges has been voiced during the public involvement process. However, many projects are financially constrained, and there is often no dedicated budget for aesthetic enhancements. One of the challenges facing the workhorse bridge designer is how to define cost-effective design strategies to respond to public concerns regarding aesthetics. One approach to addressing aesthetic concerns on workhorse bridges has been developed by design-build teams. Transportation ag...