Competition launched to create new + improved Brooklyn Bridge walkway

The city has launched a competition to design a new walkway for the Brooklyn Bridge.

One of New York’s most recognizable landmarks, the Brooklyn Bridge has become crammed, uncomfortable and sometimes unsafe as thousands of pedestrians and cyclists cross every day.

Open to designers from around the world. the competition aims to find “creative, unconventional designs that respect and enhance the bridge’s landmark status, think inclusively about mobility and access, and accommodate commuters, visitors, and vendors.”

People from all over the world flock to the Brooklyn Bridge to soak in its history and breathtaking views of Manhattan. Commuters rely on it to easily walk or bike ride between boroughs. We need to make sure they are not competing for space because we want the number of people using the bridge to continue growing.

Everyone who uses the bridge should have a pleasant experience, not a stressful one. The long-term vitality of the Brooklyn Bridge is essential to our goal of being an environmentally sensitive, pedestrian-friendly city.

With New York’s growing numbers of cyclists and pedestrians, the city says it is imperative to provide modern infrastructure that allows them to move comfortably and safely around the city.

Although it has create thousands of extra miles of bike paths around the city, the Brooklyn Bridge has so far been overlooked.

The competition is open to all, and proposals must be submitted at vanalen.org by Sunday, April 5 by 11:59 pm ET.

Six finalist designs will be selected by an interdisciplinary jury, which includes leadership from the New York Landmarks Conservancy, SOM, and Transportation Alternatives. Two winning designs will then be chosen with the help of a public vote in July.