In preparation for a large-scale, $400-million park along the Arkansas River, the City of Tulsa first needed to overcome several infrastructure challenges, including stormwater flooding, aging water and sewer lines, and safety issues with nearby Riverside Drive. HNTB served as the prime consultant and lead engineer for the bridge structural, civil and electrical components of the park for the Riverside Drive and Gathering Place projects.
The projects include 1.7 miles of reconstruction of Riverside Drive, twin landscaped land bridges from Gathering Place, four pedestrian bridges, new trails and parking lots along Riverside, in addition to many other infrastructure improvements. Design began in 2011, and construction for the Gathering Place lasted over 3 years, with an overall project cost of approximately $465 million.
The project team used an accelerated design that delivered numerous infrastructure upgrades, including all utility relocations and right-of-way acquisitions, resulting in the site being ready for construction in less than a year. Within three years, this underperforming stormwater system, highway and utilities had successfully morphed into land bridges, skate parks, landscaped greenways, and other amenities that provide Tulsa with a new source of community pride and a stronger future.
ACEC recognized the project with an Honor Award in 2019, and ACEC of Oklahoma awarded it Grand Conceptor in 2018.
Location: Tulsa, OK
Client: City of Tulsa