February 5, 2024

Best in State: Gold Award
Complexity

Photo from ACEC Washington

The bridge features arched Vierendeel trusses made of pipe members.

COWI North America

Project: Totem Lake Connector pedestrian bridge
Client: City of Kirkland

The Totem Lake Connector project created a captivating gateway bridge for pedestrians and cyclists, focusing on enhancing safety and the overall appeal of Totem Lake. COWI played a crucial role in blending aesthetics, innovation and sustainability into the design and bringing the vision to life. The unique “skipping stone” concept, chosen from four bridge options, symbolizes a connection between the community and nature.

The bridge’s design featured arched Vierendeel trusses made of pipe members, creating an open and uplifting structure. It was built on an efficient substructure with reinforced concrete and steel Y-shaped piers (minimizing its footprint), and supported by drilled shafts. The project emphasized aesthetic-driven structural form, resulting in a sleek and streamlined design with welded pipe members, pigmented sealer and chamfered piers.

Public outreach was a cornerstone of the project — the team involved the community in the project’s development and feedback was considered throughout. The bridge not only enhanced pedestrian safety but also became a destination with rest areas, overlooks and aesthetic lighting.

Sustainability was at the forefront of the design, using vegetated MSE walls and porous asphalt. The project successfully navigated a congested site while minimizing impacts on utilities, wetlands and hazardous materials. Despite challenges, the project was completed on time and on budget.

The Totem Lake Connector now stands as a local landmark, embodying the character of the area and serving as a symbol of future-oriented, community-driven engineering.

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