Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge, Pedestrian bridge in Providence, United States
Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge is a pedestrian footbridge that crosses the Providence River and links the Fox Point neighborhood with the Jewelry District using wooden decks and steel railings. The structure measures 450 feet and provides multiple access points at different elevations.
The bridge was built on the piers of a former Interstate highway and opened as a pedestrian crossing in August 2019. This transformation represents the conversion of abandoned road infrastructure into a public community space.
The bridge serves as a meeting point with illuminated tables and built-in chessboards where visitors and locals gather to play, watch performances, or simply spend time together. These spaces have become informal social hubs that draw people year-round.
The main access points are located near downtown Providence, with stairs and ramps connecting to different levels of the bridge. The footbridge is open year-round and offers varying views and lighting conditions depending on the time of day.
The bridge incorporates Brazilian Ipe hardwood decking and Wana wood panels, materials typically reserved for boat building that provide exceptional durability against coastal New England weather. This unusual material selection ensures the structure remains sound for decades.
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