Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Bridge Streetscape

While replacing a major Downtown bridge, the City of Fort Wayne envisioned a gateway to the Downtown combined with a memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Thus, conceptualizing the idea of having a memorial bridge.

Following the analysis of adjacent parks and downtown context, DLZ prepared concepts for memorializing Dr. Martin Luther King and further developing the bridge into a signature City gateway. DLZ worked closely with the Memorial Committee and other City officials, to develop a preferred design which focused on the pedestrian and vehicular experience and minimizing the impacts to adjacent park properties and the River Greenway. The final design incorporated decorative paving, interpretive plaques, public art monuments, bridge signage, decorative lighting, custom decorative guardrails, and site furnishings to supplement the bridge and roadway infrastructure, also designed in-house.

DLZ professional services included landscape architecture, civil, bridge, and electrical engineering, environmental (NEPA) documentation, and IDNR / Army Corps of Engineers permitting. DLZ was involved in public input and committee meetings regarding various project elements throughout the design process. The planning and design of the memorial bridge followed INDOT standards and procedures for plan development, design, and implementation.