Knight provided Phase II and III engineering services for the removal and replacement of two structures carrying Ring Road over the West Lagoon in Washington Park including design of three accelerated construction bridges, reconstruction of the lagoon’s dam and transforming Ring Road into a multi-purpose path for the community to enjoy.
The 150-acre Washington Park west of Springfield was added to the Park District in 1901. Knight constructed the two new bridges with the goal of repurposing the pre-existing path around the lagoon into a multipurpose lane for pedestrians, bikers and vehicle traffic.
This historic park was developed as termini of the urban trolley line in use at the time. Designed by Ossian Simonds, noted for his naturalistic style of landscape design, the park is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Innovative Technologies
FHWA Funding
Precast Structures
2 Arched
Historic Bridges
Since 1901
Original Bridge Rails
Reuse
Creating New Access for a Historic Park
Washington Park in Springfield is on the National Register of Historic Places and our engineers were challenged to bring current design and safety standards by adding new access for pedestrians and bicyclists while preserving the historic look of the important park structures. Working closely with the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and the City of Springfield, Knight’s design incorporated the original bridge rails for use on the new structures and helped to secure federal bridge funding for innovative technology by using precast structures on pile foundations to help speed construction.
