On my first day in Chicago, all I want is to stroll around downtown a little bit to get a grasp of where I am, of what this city feels like. Can it be a coincidence that I stumble upon one of the most interesting bridges the city has to offer?
This is BP Bridge in Chicago’s Millenium Park. I find it somewhat significant that it is named after a big corporation that sponsored its construction. I feel reminded of how football stadiums in Germany started to be named after sponsors. When Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion became the AOL arena, there was a huge discussion about demoralisation and loss of tradition. I wonder if here it is even noticed that the bridge could as well have a non-corporate name.
Unfortunately, due to construction work, I cannot walk the bridge’s elegant curve to the other side and the other parts of Grant Park and on to the waterfront of Lake Michigan, which glistens and sparkles beautifully in the distance. But I do have a fantastic view of the city’s skyline. It might be here that for the first time in my life I understand the aesthetics of skyscrapers. It is truly beautiful.
I must say I do love the combination of different materials used on the BP bridge – the metal outside and the hardwood planks on the walkway. Then there is also its lean curves that give it a calm energy as it leads out of the greenery of the park and over the large street. I read that is serves as a noise barrier from the traffic, and it is true that it is fairly quiet. I am curious how it will compare to the larger full on traffic bridges over the Chicago river which I am sure to encountr over the next few days.
If you have read My Mission statement, you know why I love bridges. To me they are the most universal symbol of connection, of bringing people together and overcoming anything that may seperate us. I want to present to you pictures of bridges that I really love in places that I really love on my blog every Sunday. If you have a picture of a bridge that you would like to share with my readers as a guest post, feel free to contact me!
