Charlestown, Ma

The landscape architecture for D019B, I-93 Viaducts and Ramps North of the Charles River, has enhanced the Central Artery project area through the implementation of extensive surface restoration. There are safe and attractive pedestrian links under the viaduct and a pedestrian bridge and walkway connection from Rutherford Avenue in Charlestown to the Millers River, which runs between the Cities of Boston and Cambridge.

Street lighting and coordination with the Artery Arts Program offered the opportunity to enliven the public walkway. Brown, Richardson & Rowe worked extensively on the design of the pedestrian walkway with artist Ross Miller, architects Gillham, Gander & Chin, and civil and structural engineers from the Joint Venture of Greenman-Pederson, Inc./Ammann & Whitney/Vollmer Associates.

The walkway and bridge have integral elements that tell the history of the area. These include sounding markings which show where the water levels were in the 19th century, historic markers about the 19th century industries, and a “potato bollard” that marks the site of the potato sheds that used to dot the area. ADA and AASHTO guidelines were discussed and at times modified during the design and permitting process. The future maintenance of the bridge was discussed at length during the design process with the MDC maintenance crew.