Denver Millennium Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Denver Millennium Bridge |
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Mast of Denver's Millennium Bridge rises to 200 feet (61m), connecting to the footbridge's deck and foundation anchors with post-tensioned steel cables.
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| Coordinates | 39°45′16″N 105°00′15″W / 39.7544°N 105.0041°W |
| Carries | Pedestrians |
| Crosses | Railroad, Light Rail system |
| Locale | Denver, Colorado, United States |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Structural steel, post-tensioned cable-stayed bridge |
| Total length | 130 feet (40m) |
| Width | 80 feet (24m) |
| Height | 25 feet (8m) |
| Clearance above | 200 feet (61m) |
| History | |
| Construction cost | $9 million |
| Opened | April 22, 2002 |
- For other structures of the same name see Millennium Bridge (disambiguation)
The Denver Millennium Bridge is a really special bridge in Denver, Colorado. It was the first bridge of its kind to use a unique building method called "post-tensioned structural construction." A tall, white steel pole, 200 feet (61 meters) high, stands above the city's skyline. Strong steel cables connect this pole to the bridge's walking path and its base.
This cool footbridge goes over train tracks and the city's light rail system. It's designed so people don't have to climb too high, only about 25 feet (8 meters) above the street. The bridge is located near LoDo (Denver's lower downtown) in Riverfront Park. It connects the popular 16th Street Mall to Commons Park in the Union Station neighborhood. This bridge was the first of three pedestrian bridges built to connect Downtown Denver with the Highland neighborhood.
How the Bridge Was Built
The Denver Millennium Bridge was named to celebrate a big moment in time and in Denver's building history. The builders faced a challenge: how to make a bridge that spans 130 feet (40 meters) without rising too steeply. The bridge's walking path needed to be as thin as possible but still very strong.
This type of bridge is called a cable-stayed bridge. It uses a steel frame that gets its strength from tension. A single tall pole, called a mast, is tilted toward one end of the bridge. Cables supporting the bridge's deck are attached to both sides of the mast. However, the cables that connect to the ground anchors are only on the side of the bridge where the mast is tilted.
To create tension, the mast acts like a lever, pulling the bridge deck up into a gentle curve. The other end of the bridge is held firmly by two steel rods. Once the mast was in place, concrete was poured onto the metal deck frame. This pushed the deck into its final position and created the necessary tension in the cables. This special "post-tensioned" building method allowed for a very thin concrete deck, only about 6 inches thick. The deck is supported by strong I-beams and is about 80 feet (24 meters) wide.
Bridge History
Work on this $9-million footbridge started in 1999. The design was created by an engineering company called Ove Arup & Partners, working with an architecture firm called ArchitectureDenver.
The construction company, Edward Kraemer & Sons, Inc., built the bridge. Another company, Colorado Bridge and Iron, made the steel parts. The tall mast was built from cone-shaped steel pieces welded together. It was 3 feet (1 meter) wide at the bottom, 7 feet (2 meters) wide in the middle, and 1.5 feet (0.5 meters) wide at the top.
To help everyone cross, glass elevators were added at both ends of the bridge. These elevators make it easier for people who might have trouble climbing the stairs. Denver Mayor Wellington Webb officially opened the Millennium Bridge on April 22, 2002.
In April 2014, the bridge received a $1-million upgrade. This renovation made it even easier for people to access the bridge, creating a smoother connection between downtown Denver and the nearby neighborhoods. Part of this upgrade included changes to the east staircase and new LED lighting. The new lights can change colors and use up to 80% less energy!
