The Gold Line Bridge in Arcadia, California by Andrew Leicester

Article source: Andrew Leicester 

As the largest, single public art/transit infrastructure project in California, we believe the Gold Line Bridge would be a very unique and special entry for coverage. The Gold Line Bridge has set many precedents. The Construction Authority wanted the art to lead the engineering, so an artist was hired before the architect and contractor. In 2010, the Construction Authority put out a national call and selected Andrew Leicester, an award-winning public artist from Minnesota.

Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority : Image Courtesy Andrew Leicester 

• Artist: Andrew Leicester
• Project: The Gold Line Bridge
• Location: San Gabriel Valley, California
• Date: Completed December 15, 2012
• Dimensions: 584-linear feet (115 feet between the centerlines of the two signature baskets)
• Materials: Concrete with steel reinforcement (the project required 6,500 cubic yards of concrete and 1.3 million pounds of steel)
• Art Concept Advisor: Andrew Leicester
• Architect/Designer: AECOM
• Contractor: Skanska USA Civil West
• Commissioner/Owner: The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority
• Software used: 
  • Microstation V8i 3D for architectural design
  • For structural calculations:
    • SAP2000
    • VBridge
    • VBent
    • XTRACT
    • LPile
  • For structural calculations:
    • WinBDS
    • BrgABUT
  • For Hydrology/Hydraulics
    • LA County TC_Calculator
    • Bentley Flowmaster
  • For Alignment Design
    • InRoads

Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority : Image Courtesy Andrew Leicester

As the design concept advisor, Andrew worked alongside the Construction Authority, LA-based design consultant AECOM, and the bridge’s builder Skanska USA, to make sure the final design and construction was true to the vision. The 584-linear-foot dual-track light rail bridge is anchored by two 25-foot ‘baskets’ that pay tribute to the indigenous peoples of the San Gabriel Valley and the oversize iconic roadside traditions of nearby Route 66.

Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority : Image Courtesy Andrew Leicester

The serpentine main underbelly of the bridge features casted grooves and hatch marks simulating the patterns found on the Western Diamondback snake that also metaphorically references the spine of the transit system. The entire structure was made in steel reinforced concrete, using specially-designed, hand-crafted form-liners to create many of the architectural elements. Further, a unique aggregate mix was developed for the baskets and reeds, that includes black stone as well as clear, grey and mirrored glass to give a special reflective quality to those elements of the structure.

Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority : Image Courtesy Andrew Leicester

Here is a link to an illustrated book we developed for the project, which includes photography during and following construction, as well as general project information and interviews with key project team members (including Andrew). Douglas Hill has taken final day and night photography, and we have included those photos along with progress photos and drawings on our photo gallery. You can easily download low and hi-res images from the gallery.

Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority : Image Courtesy Andrew Leicester

Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority : Image Courtesy Andrew Leicester

Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority : Image Courtesy Andrew Leicester

Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority : Image Courtesy Andrew Leicester

Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority : Image Courtesy Andrew Leicester

Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority : Image Courtesy Andrew Leicester

Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority : Image Courtesy Andrew Leicester

Image Courtesy Andrew Leicester

Image Courtesy Andrew Leicester

Tags: Arcadia, California

Categories: Bridge, Microstation

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