AESTHETIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR BRIDGE OVERPASS DESIGN. BRIDGE AESTHETICS AROUND THE WORLD

This paper deals with the aesthetics of expressway overpass structures considered from the viewpoint of occupants of a vehicle on the expressway. On expressways with overpasses at frequent intervals, individual structures are rarely considered or designed in isolation. Geometric restrictions of a particular site, the use of standard details for economy, the increasing emphasis on highway safety, and the recent emphasis on durability, inspection access, and ease of maintenance have all put considerable restraints on designers. These restraints often prevent designers from choosing the most pleasing aesthetic solution according to fairly well-established rules of good design. Examples that illustrate these restraints are presented. They have been chosen from Ontario expressways located in generally flat terrain. Although these expressways are not representative of all of Canada, most provinces have sections of highway of this type.