THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE (AKA THE BOUNCY BRIDGE)
The Pedestrian Bridge, belovedly known as the Bouncy Bridge, was built in 2008 to provide students living on the northside of campus with easier passage between residential and academic buildings. Prior to the construction of the bridge, students had walked off-trail through the canyon to access the northwest side of the campus (the currently location of the Grove and Trillium), disrupting the habitats and restoration work occurring in the lower Canyon (Grail Staff).
To prevent further environmental degradation in the Canyon, the design and construction of the Bouncy Bridge adopted the path of least environmental resistance: the bridge’s location and shape were chosen to prevent the unnecessary removal of trees (only one tree had to be cut for construction!), bridge supports were placed in areas of the canyon to minimize impacts to wetlands, and two cranes were used to assemble the bridge and install it in the canyon as single piece (Reed College Pedestrian Bridges (East and West Canyon)).
To prevent further environmental degradation in the Canyon, the design and construction of the Bouncy Bridge adopted the path of least environmental resistance: the bridge’s location and shape were chosen to prevent the unnecessary removal of trees (only one tree had to be cut for construction!), bridge supports were placed in areas of the canyon to minimize impacts to wetlands, and two cranes were used to assemble the bridge and install it in the canyon as single piece (Reed College Pedestrian Bridges (East and West Canyon)).
Blueprint for the Pedestrian Bridge
Many know and love the Pedestrian bridge for its bouncy quality but very few people know that what gives the bridge its ability to bounce is the environmental considerations that informed the bridge’s design!
Fun fact: When Reed facilities director received the official certificate approving the use of the bridge from the City of Portland, the bridge was titled, “Pedestrian Bridge and Troll Habitat” (Lutino). How this misnomer occurred is unknown!
Right: Troll on the Pedestrian Bridge holding bridge certificate
Bibliography:
Construction Update. (2008, August). Reed Magazine, 87(3), 10.
Grail Staff. (2016, September 29). Bouncy Bridge. The Grail, 6(2).
Lutino, C. (2009, February). Eliot Circular by Anna Mann: Troll Habitat. Reed Magazine, 88(1), 7.
Reed College Pedestrian Bridges (East and West Canyon). kpff. (n.d.). https://www.kpff.com/portfolio/project/reed-college-pedestrian-bridges-east-and-west-canyon.
Construction Update. (2008, August). Reed Magazine, 87(3), 10.
Grail Staff. (2016, September 29). Bouncy Bridge. The Grail, 6(2).
Lutino, C. (2009, February). Eliot Circular by Anna Mann: Troll Habitat. Reed Magazine, 88(1), 7.
Reed College Pedestrian Bridges (East and West Canyon). kpff. (n.d.). https://www.kpff.com/portfolio/project/reed-college-pedestrian-bridges-east-and-west-canyon.
