We all know the Trinity River is one of the city’s biggest features, with the West Fork and the Clear Fork converging near downtown before the river flows east toward Dallas. With miles of river in what feels like every direction, Cowtown has become a city of bridges. Today, we’re highlighting some of the most iconic bridges in Fort Worth.
West 7th Street Bridge
Built to replace the 1954 Van Zandt Viaduct, the West 7th Bridge was constructed in 2013 by the Texas Department of Transportation, connecting downtown with the Cultural District in a 980-ft span. Twelve precast concrete arches are supported by diagonal steel cables that are lit with a multi-colored LED system.
The Phyllis Tilley Memorial Bridge is a must-do during a Trinity Park stroll.
Photo by @that_ldp
Phyllis Tilley Memorial Bridge
The 368-ft pedestrian crossing in Trinity Park is the first of its kind in North America. Designed by Rosales + Partners in 2012, a stressed steel ribbon wraps atop a rounded arch with precast concrete planks that form the walkway. The bridge is dedicated to the late Phyllis J. Tilley, founder of the Streams & Valleys nonprofit that works to keep Fort Worth waterways beautiful.
North Main, White Settlement + Henderson Street bridges
Three new bridges were constructed as part of the Panther Island project. Opened in 2021, the triplet bridges were designed by architect Miguel Rosales and engineering firm Freese and Nichols + have a dramatic V-pier superstructure that is illuminated by LED lighting. The city recently collected submissions for the bridges’ new names.
Drift
Equal parts sculpture and pathway, Drift was also completed in 2021 as part of the City’s Public Art Program. Artist Volkan Alkanoglu designed the 58-ft pedestrian bridge out of Spanish cedar using ship-building methods. The wood of the South Hills neighborhood bridge will oxidize over time turning silver.
