Helyx Bridge, Spiral pedestrian bridge in Gainesville, United States
The Helyx Bridge is a pedestrian footbridge in Gainesville, Florida, that crosses SW 13th Street with an elegant curved design. The structure features two interlocking metal waves that spiral upward, creating a flowing silhouette that is lit by LED lights at night.
The bridge began as a railroad crossing connected to the Old Gainesville Depot but was redesigned into a pedestrian passage during the 1980s when the rail line was converted into a trail. This transformation marked a shift in how the area connected different parts of the city.
The bridge design incorporates elements that reflect both Gainesville's railroad heritage and the medical focus of the nearby University of Florida Health Science Center.
The bridge connects the University of Florida campus with residential neighborhoods and serves as a daily crossing for students and professionals. The LED lighting makes evening crossing safe and easy to navigate in both directions.
The two metal waves shift 180 degrees apart from each other, creating a visual pattern that resembles a DNA double helix. This distinctive geometry inspired locals to call it the DNA Bridge.
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