Architects OMA and landscape architects OLIN have been selected to design the 11th Street Bridge Park, an elevated park in Washington D.C, US.

Chosen from a shortlist of four architecture and design teams – including Balmori Associates / Cooper, Robertson & Partners, Stoss Landscape Urbanism / Höweler + Yoon Architecture and Wallace Roberts & Todd (WRT) / NEXT Architects – OMA + OLIN will be transforming the aged freeway bridge over the Anacostia River into a green, civic space for public use.

Speaking to CLAD Scott Kratz, director of the Bridge Park project, explained that the scheme would take around two years of pre-construction work. He hopes that construction can begin in 2017, and earliest the bridge park would open is late 2018.

OMA + OLIN’s design ‘captured the ideas’ from local residents. Jason Long, a partner at OMA commented: “Our design creates a literal intersection and a dynamic, multi­-layered amenity for both sides of the river… It simultaneously functions as a gateway, a lookout point with expansive views, a canopy that can shelter programmes and a public plaza. The resulting form of the bridge creates an iconic encounter, an “X” instantly recognisable within the capital’s tradition of civic spaces.”

Keeping health and wellbeing at the forefront of the new bridge was a high priority for the competitions judges. Juror Dr Howard Frumkin, Dean of the School of Public Health at University of Washington, said the project could act as a strategy of ‘promoting health’.

“It will promote physical activity, access to healthy food, contact with nature, socialising—all proven prescriptions for better health. What a giant step for the health of the people of our nation’s capital!”

Currently, costs are still being fine-tuned. Washington D.C. City Government recently committed $14.5m (£9.7m, €13.1m) of funding to the project, and the overall budget is estimated to be somewhere in the region of $45m (£30.1m, €40.9m).

To read more about the project, click here.