We are pleased to announce the opening of the signature 16 Tech Innovation District Bridge. Spanning 342 feet over Fall Creek, the bridge serves as a vital link between the 16 Tech Innovation District and Indianapolis’ research and medical corridor. The new multimodal structure prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists, keeping them separated from vehicular traffic with protected pathways that connect to the city’s wider trail and greenway network. With more than half the square footage of its 65-foot-wide deck devoted to non-vehicular use, the bridge’s design encourages pedestrians to pause and enjoy the views along the span of the bridge. A dedicated gathering space on the bridge’s eastern side gently cantilevers over the water, creating opportunities for public programming and events.
Led by schlaich bergermann partner (sbp) and the architects Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU), the design team included Moniteurs Communication Design, Martha Schwartz Partners (MSP), Shrewsberry & Associates, CTL Engineering, Circle Design Group, and People for Urban Progress (PUP). The team was tasked with designing a signature work of public infrastructure that would serve as an example of innovation and collaboration. The result is a unique bridge structure that reinterprets the principles of a classic suspension bridge to create an entirely new form.
“This exciting milestone marks the culmination of a creative process and intense collaboration between our design team and the 16 Tech Community Corporation. We were fortunate to work with such a visionary client who supported the creation of a truly unique type of suspension bridge,” said Michael Stein, Managing Director and Board Member of schlaich bergermann partner. “The 16 Tech Bridge showcases how innovative engineering and design can transform urban spaces and infrastructure in meaningful ways.”
The bridge is the first-of-its-kind in the United States and innovates on classic suspension bridge principles while extending sbp’s existing family of steel-plate bridges. By replacing large vertical masts with a fan-like arrangement of smaller masts and substituting traditional suspension cables with 2” thick elegant flat steel plates, the bridge achieves its signature wave-like form. This innovative system efficiently distributes internal forces, primarily utilizing tension and compression instead of bending, minimizing material use and enhancing sustainability. Additionally, the bridge is designed as an integral structure, where the superstructure (deck) and substructure (abutments and piers) function as a single, monolithic unit. This eliminates the need for expansion joints and bearings, reducing maintenance requirements and increasing long-term durability.
The bridge scheme also responds to the site’s unique natural conditions. One of the most striking features of Fall Creek is the seclusion created by the lines of trees on either side. The bridge’s design borrows inspiration from this beautiful setting, creating tree-like vertical supports that mimic the trunk and branches of a tree. The bridge’s defining attribute—its undulating steel ribbon—also mirrors the natural profile of Fall Creek itself, rising with tree canopies on either side of the waterway and lowering towards the center to create unobstructed views up and down the creek.
“More than ever in our fraying world, we need bridges—to connect us to each other, to nature, and to our better selves. This bridge attempts all three, building connections across communities; forging an echo of Fall Creek’s trees through its unique form; and creating small places of solace for reflection and delight,” said Vishaan Chakrabarti, Founder and Creative Director of PAU, the project’s architect. “We thank our client and fellow collaborators who through the pandemic and beyond made this dream a reality.”
The bridge also incorporates a dynamic lighting strategy designed by sbp, allowing for color-changing displays that can respond to cultural and community events. This feature transforms the bridge into an engaging destination, reinforcing its identity as a civic landmark for Indianapolis.
Given the bridge’s unconventional structural system and the need to minimize environmental impact during construction, constructability was a key challenge. Through advanced digital modeling and close collaboration between engineers and fabricators, the team optimized fabrication and assembly processes to streamline construction while maintaining the bridge’s expressive form. The modular approach allowed for efficient use of materials and labor, reducing waste and ensuring economic feasibility.
While bridges are often viewed as mere transitional spaces, the 16 Tech Bridge challenges this notion by becoming a destination in itself—an inviting public space for gathering, interaction, and connection.
Project Credits
Owner: 16 Tech Community Corporation, Indianapolis, IN
Prime Consultant / Bridge Design and Engineering: sbp New York, NY
Bridge Design Architect: Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU), New York, NY
Landscape Architect: Martha Schwartz Partners (MSP), New York, NY
Wayfinding: Moniteurs Communication Design, Berlin, Germany
Civil and Environmental Engineering: Shrewsberry & Associates, Indianapolis, IN
Geotechnical Engineering: CTL Engineering, Indianapolis, IN
Electrical Engineering: Circle Design Group, Indianapolis, IN
Community Engagement: People for Urban Progress (PUP), Indianapolis, IN
Lighting Design: sbp New York, NY
Client Representative: J.S. Held, Indianapolis, IN
Client Advisor: American Structurepoint, Inc., Indianapolis, IN
Erection Engineering: sbp New York, NY
Fabricator: Cimolai S.p.A., Porcia, Italy
Steel Erection: Harmon Steel, Inc., Indianapolis, IN
Construction Manager: Kokosing Construction Company, Westerville, OH
