Bridging Across Hudson

The hardscape allows visitors and locals the capability to enjoy the natural beauty of the area and cross the Hudson via the bike and walking paths.
by Kathryn Wolf, RLA and Zac Rood, RLA, Trowbridge Wolf Michaels a Fisher Associates Landscape Architecture Studio

Set on 3.6-miles of public use path, the redesigned Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge features six overlooks called Fish & Ships, Palisades, Painters Point, River Crossing, Half Moon, and Tides of Tarrytown, along with two landings on either side of the bridge that provide welcome centers, public restrooms, and access to the path. New York State tasked Fisher Associates with the Landscape Architecture of the three-mile cable stayed, bridge across the Hudson River.

Located at mile marker 1.5, Painters Point, was designed to frame the Hudson River and Hook Mountain, this overlook is set at 102 feet over the water and features an integrated bronze and wood structure that provides shade to the seating element. This overlook was added to honor artists of all walks, including painters and singers, as the Hudson has a rich artist history. The seating doubles as a stage for impromptu performances.

Located at mile marker 1.5, Painters Point, was designed to frame the Hudson River and Hook Mountain, this overlook is set at 102 feet over the water and features an integrated bronze and wood structure that provides shade to the seating element. This overlook was added to honor artists of all walks, including painters and singers, as the Hudson has a rich artist history. The seating doubles as a stage for impromptu performances.

The Half Moon Overlook was named after the ship that Henry Hudson captained in 1609 as an eponymous. This part of the bridge is located adjacent to the river's navigation channel and an overlook for onlookers to stand in the prow and see the river below.

Marking the halfway point across the river, the River Crossing Overlook pays homage to the historic modes of transportation between Nyack and Tarrytown. The canopies were inspired by the Tappan Zee Bridge's lattice construction while the bench's notches mimic the openings used to install the rivets holding the lattice together.

Marking the halfway point across the river, the River Crossing Overlook pays homage to the historic modes of transportation between Nyack and Tarrytown. The canopies were inspired by the Tappan Zee Bridge's lattice construction while the bench's notches mimic the openings used to install the rivets holding the lattice together.

Marking the halfway point across the river, the River Crossing Overlook pays homage to the historic modes of transportation between Nyack and Tarrytown. The canopies were inspired by the Tappan Zee Bridge's lattice construction while the bench's notches mimic the openings used to install the rivets holding the lattice together.

Dubbed Fish & Ships, this overlook is located at mile marker 2.5 at 37 feet above the water level. This overlook celebrates waterfront history of the Nyacks, the Native American term for "fishing place," and includes benches with two rows of timber clad stainless steel with a fin-like fish tail. Shade is provided with a structure that is ribbed like a boat hull.

Tides of Tarrytown, located at mile marker 0.5 and sitting 125 feet above the water, references the village history and the shoreline's change. The timber clad bench overlooks Tarrytown to the north and New York to the south. The mirror polished canopy reflects the Manhattan skyline.

Found at mile marker two, the Palisades Overlook sits 61 feet above the water and features a multifaceted granite bench that varies in height like its namesake of cliffs. The shade structure's trademark is the perforation that was added to mimic the shadows created by the nearby forest.

Located in South Nyack, New York, the Rockland Landing is less than a half mile from downtown Nyack. This landing includes a welcome center, public art, an interactive kiosk, and restrooms.

Located in Tarrytown, New York next to the Thruway Authority maintenance facility, the Westchester Landing features a welcome center, outdoor pavilion (pictured), 130 parking spaces, two electric vehicle charging stations, bike repair station, restrooms, informational kiosk, and public art.

Constructed of rebar and salvaged steel, this sculpture by Wendy Klemperer is titled "Leaping Sturgeon" and pays homage to the endangered species along the Rockland Outlook coastline.

Located at Westchester Approach, "UNTITLED, FOR IMRE LENDVAI" by Thomas Lendvai is a public art sculpture that was designed to mimic ripples in the river's surface while framing the bridge towers. The sculpture was made from steel from the Tappan Zee Bridge.

To pay homage to the Native American Lenape's history along the river, the "Tappan Zee" sculpture, located between Esposito Trail and parallel bike path in South Nyack, is constructed of seven abstract figures carrying a canoe, much like the pedestrians along the path. The sculpture was designed by Ilan Averbuch.

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Set on 3.6-miles of public use path, the redesigned Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge features six overlooks called Fish & Ships, Palisades, Painters Point, River Crossing, Half Moon, and Tides of Tarrytown, along with two landings on either side of the bridge that provide welcome centers, public restrooms, and access to the path. New York State tasked Fisher Associates with the Landscape Architecture of the three-mile cable stayed, bridge across the Hudson River.

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Located at mile marker 1.5, Painters Point, was designed to frame the Hudson River and Hook Mountain, this overlook is set at 102 feet over the water and features an integrated bronze and wood structure that provides shade to the seating element. This overlook was added to honor artists of all walks, including painters and singers, as the Hudson has a rich artist history. The seating doubles as a stage for impromptu performances.

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Located at mile marker 1.5, Painters Point, was designed to frame the Hudson River and Hook Mountain, this overlook is set at 102 feet over the water and features an integrated bronze and wood structure that provides shade to the seating element. This overlook was added to honor artists of all walks, including painters and singers, as the Hudson has a rich artist history. The seating doubles as a stage for impromptu performances.

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The Half Moon Overlook was named after the ship that Henry Hudson captained in 1609 as an eponymous. This part of the bridge is located adjacent to the river's navigation channel and an overlook for onlookers to stand in the prow and see the river below.

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Marking the halfway point across the river, the River Crossing Overlook pays homage to the historic modes of transportation between Nyack and Tarrytown. The canopies were inspired by the Tappan Zee Bridge's lattice construction while the bench's notches mimic the openings used to install the rivets holding the lattice together.

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Marking the halfway point across the river, the River Crossing Overlook pays homage to the historic modes of transportation between Nyack and Tarrytown. The canopies were inspired by the Tappan Zee Bridge's lattice construction while the bench's notches mimic the openings used to install the rivets holding the lattice together.

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Marking the halfway point across the river, the River Crossing Overlook pays homage to the historic modes of transportation between Nyack and Tarrytown. The canopies were inspired by the Tappan Zee Bridge's lattice construction while the bench's notches mimic the openings used to install the rivets holding the lattice together.

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Dubbed Fish & Ships, this overlook is located at mile marker 2.5 at 37 feet above the water level. This overlook celebrates waterfront history of the Nyacks, the Native American term for "fishing place," and includes benches with two rows of timber clad stainless steel with a fin-like fish tail. Shade is provided with a structure that is ribbed like a boat hull.

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Tides of Tarrytown, located at mile marker 0.5 and sitting 125 feet above the water, references the village history and the shoreline's change. The timber clad bench overlooks Tarrytown to the north and New York to the south. The mirror polished canopy reflects the Manhattan skyline.

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Found at mile marker two, the Palisades Overlook sits 61 feet above the water and features a multifaceted granite bench that varies in height like its namesake of cliffs. The shade structure's trademark is the perforation that was added to mimic the shadows created by the nearby forest.

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Located in South Nyack, New York, the Rockland Landing is less than a half mile from downtown Nyack. This landing includes a welcome center, public art, an interactive kiosk, and restrooms.

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Located in Tarrytown, New York next to the Thruway Authority maintenance facility, the Westchester Landing features a welcome center, outdoor pavilion (pictured), 130 parking spaces, two electric vehicle charging stations, bike repair station, restrooms, informational kiosk, and public art.

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Constructed of rebar and salvaged steel, this sculpture by Wendy Klemperer is titled "Leaping Sturgeon" and pays homage to the endangered species along the Rockland Outlook coastline.

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Located at Westchester Approach, "UNTITLED, FOR IMRE LENDVAI" by Thomas Lendvai is a public art sculpture that was designed to mimic ripples in the river's surface while framing the bridge towers. The sculpture was made from steel from the Tappan Zee Bridge.

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To pay homage to the Native American Lenape's history along the river, the "Tappan Zee" sculpture, located between Esposito Trail and parallel bike path in South Nyack, is constructed of seven abstract figures carrying a canoe, much like the pedestrians along the path. The sculpture was designed by Ilan Averbuch.

The Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge was built to replace the aging Tappan Zee Bridge, connecting Rockland and Westchester counties across the Hudson River in New York. Constructed in 1955, the Tappan Zee Bridge lacked the elements of a modern transportation system, such as emergency shoulders, mass transit accommodations, and notably, any pedestrian or bicycle access. The new bridge addresses each of these shortcomings.
A dedicated 3.6-mile, shared-use path creates a new transportation link for pedestrians, bicyclists, and new recreational opportunities within the regional trail network. Trowbridge Wolf Michaels, a Fisher Associates Landscape Architecture Studio (TWMFA), drew inspiration from the Hudson River context to create a signature public space on the bridge.

Six distinct overlooks punctuate the journey across the bridge allowing for moments of respite and reflection while offering breathtaking views of the Hudson River Valley and New York City skyline. Workmanship and durability were prioritized for a bridge designed to last over 100 years, yielding pedestrian spaces of exceptional quality. Curated views, environmental storytelling, and custom furnishings combine to engage and exhilarate one of the nation's premier infrastructure projects.

Project Vision
The shared-use path (SUP) would ultimately serve diverse user groups, from daily commuters, fitness seekers, tourists, and day-trippers, to family outings, and romantic getaways. With the many end-users in mind, the designers envisioned a project that would safely transport people over the river and offer opportunities for a deeper connection with the Hudson River landscape.

Historical and Geographical Context
The new cable-stayed bridge is located at one of the widest stretches of the Hudson River known as the Tappan Zee, named by Dutch settlers for the broad water body (zee translates as the sea) inhabited by the Lenape people (the Tappan) before European colonization. The bridge is 25 miles north of Midtown Manhattan which sits just beyond the jurisdictional boundary of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

TWMFA worked alongside the New York State Thruway Authority, bridge builders, architects and engineers, a branding consultant, and an array of community stakeholders to develop concepts for a range of issues revolving around public access to the newly conceived SUP. The design team recognized that due to its scale and proximity to the nation's most populous city, the new bridge had an immense capacity to engage its many future users and capture their imaginations. With the construction of the new bridge, the stage was set for a new public landscape experience.

 

Regional Connectivity
The opening of the bridge to pedestrian and cycling traffic in June 2020 was a landmark moment for the region. Numerous trail systems exist up and down the Hudson River corridor; this new east-west link creates a myriad of opportunities for connecting these systems. The crossing is within 20 miles of New York City, creating a recreational loop that is highly accessible to the many area cyclists. The anticipated influx of cyclists and visitors curious to experience the bridge created concerns among local communities regarding the new crowds. The response was to create thoughtfully situated landings at either end of the bridge with a high level of amenity offerings and clear connections to existing trail systems.

The landings serve as gateways to the SUP that provide parking, orientation, comfort stations, food service, amenities, and public art. Each side of the bridge presented different challenges and opportunities, so each required a unique response. The design team prioritized green infrastructure at the landings and landside trails, including extensive use of porous pavements, structural soil, and
native plantings.

Path Design
The path was created to enhance the breathtaking views from the bridge, while also ensuring the safety of users. A major challenge in designing the path was to provide a barrier that could withstand strong winds and vibrations caused by the bridge, while still allowing for optimal visibility of the stunning landscape. The project incorporated vertical barriers made of glass and tensile steel cable mesh in various areas along the path. These barriers successfully fulfilled both safety and scenic requirements. The nine-foot-tall frameless glass barriers were specifically designed and constructed with coatings to reduce the likelihood of birds colliding with them.

The signature blue overlay for the pathway branding was developed by the project team, based on their research and specifications. A methyl methacrylate (MMA) polymer overlay was selected because it is waterproof, skid-resistant, and has a fast cure, among other benefits. Each overlook features unique, custom-designed furnishings, while prefabricated furnishings were added at the landings. All furnishings were carefully selected while keeping practicality, brand representation, and long-term maintenance in mind.

Wayfinding played a significant role in the project. Since the bridge and path span several miles that connect Tarrytown to Nyack, it was crucial to assist users in becoming familiar with the path's amenities, features, and connecting points. TWMFA assisted Exit Design in creating environmental graphics and signage that would incorporate brand identity along the path.

Conceptual Approach
As the bridge winds across the Hudson, it rises from a low point around 40 feet above the river on the west bank to a height of 140 feet to allow ships to pass through the navigation channel. This vantage point offers spectacular views from high above the river but also, harsh exposure to the elements for those making the trip on the SUP. The design responds to these unique site conditions while drawing inspiration from the local historic, cultural, and natural contexts. Playing to the linear nature of the path, the overlooks were conceived as chapters in an anthology of the Hudson River. The result is a journey across the bridge that tells a story of the river.

Designs were developed for the six distinct spaces, each focusing on a relevant feature of the regional context. Paving patterns, shade structures, and seating are unique at each overlook but employ consistent high-quality materials to achieve overall cohesion and excellence in design execution. The six overlooks are linked by the SUP and provide opportunities to pause
along the way.

Other Bridge Infrastructure
In addition to the design of the SUP and overlooks, TWMFA guided the design of numerous other bridge elements to ensure cohesion of the design experience. Extensive investigation and design of glazing, fencing, railings, and barrier options were explored to provide a solution that maintains views of the Hudson while providing effective safety and security. The design team brought specialized knowledge on the issue of suicide prevention gleaned from a unique set of projects in their hometown and sought to balance visual access and the restorative power of nature with means restriction for suicide prevention. To achieve consensus on a fencing solution, TWMFA organized a tour of a series of bridges featuring contemporary means restriction design with a recognized expert in the field of psychology and suicide prevention at a major university. Noise walls between the adjacent highway and the SUP at the overlooks were designed to be transparent and integrated with the overall infrastructure.

Public Art Trail
The design team assisted the Thruway Authority to develop a public art program for the SUP and connecting trails. The designers worked with the owner and artists to craft unique landscape designs that would showcase their visions. Materials, furnishings, lighting, and planting selections, along with unique settings and site designs were provided for a series of five sculptures, four artistic bicycle racks, and a major mural, all by New York artists.

In 2021, the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge won the ASLA New York Chapter Honor Award for the redesign. The hardscape allows visitors and locals the capability to enjoy the natural beauty of the area and cross the Hudson via the bike and walking paths.

Filed Under: 2023, PLAYGROUNDS, BRIDGES, LASN