THE MINNEAPOLIS FLYWAY

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Elevated Trail sections–The Minneapolis ‘Flyway’–raise the public over existing river barge operations, allowing views and continuous public access along the river. The Flyway Trail bridge sections are prefabricated of reclaimed solid wood modules that interlock. A curved geometry creates a structural torqued ‘bar’ where needed. The Minneapolis ‘Flyway’ is designed to take advantage of on-site and river generated materials to construct a nature within the vast a-biotic, de-treed industrial stretches of the site. Winter yield river driftwood can be used as a ‘cladding’ which will naturally decay over time, allowing insects, mining (stingless) bees and nesting, flocking birds to burrow into the structures’ surfaces providing close contact and observation between animals and humans. Bridge pier foundations are filled with industrial rubble from concrete plants.

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Over time, the Trails and floating Bio-Haven Islands re-establish the historic riverbank canopy stratification and riparian habitat in a gradated layering of vegetation heights.

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Location: Minneapolis, MN
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