The team was engaged by Voith & Mactavish Architects, LLP (VMA) to complete the engineering and design of a pedestrian bridge and associated roadway improvements. Villanova’s ultimate vision was to transform an existing paved surface parking lot between Lancaster Avenue and the SEPTA Norristown HighSpeed Rail Line into an attractive living and learning environment. This included Collegiate Gothic style student housing, student-centric retail, a performing arts center and a parking garage. Working closely with VMA and the project team, our team completed the structural design as an integral part of this campus transformation.
The purpose of this project was to provide a safe, direct and pedestrian-friendly connection between the main campus, the residence halls on the south campus and the SEPTA light rail platform. To place this structure in the most desirable location, new vehicular access was designed located to the west of the structure, which separates vehicular and pedestrian movements. The structure consists of multiple segments adorned with architectural features including an 81ft 11in single-span bridge over Lancaster Avenue, and a central pavilion with elevator and stair access between ground and bridge-level walking surfaces.
Construction of the pedestrian bridge began in February of 2017 and the bridge was opened to pedestrian traffic in March 2018.