Photo courtesy of Alex MacLean
The Park Over the Highway in downtown St. Louis creates a seamless connection between the city and the iconic Gateway Arch National Park grounds. Welcoming more than two million visitors annually, the St. Louis staple is one of the nation’s most recognizable landmarks, famous for its breathtaking views from above and world-class underground museum. Before the project was completed in 2015, however, Interstate 44 created a physical divide between downtown and the Arch, severing the monument from the city and creating a disconnect between the riverfront, surrounding public spaces, and the people moving between them.
More than a decade later, what was once a barrier has become a year-round destination.
The transformation began in 2012, when a multidisciplinary team set out to connect downtown with the riverfront and Gateway Arch grounds. Crawford, Murphy & Tilly (CMT) led the Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT) engineering and planning efforts to connect the city to the Arch to the river, working alongside the Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s team led by landscape architecture firm Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA) and supported by other civil infrastructure professionals. The project balanced ambitious design goals with the transportation, infrastructure, and accessibility needs of a complex urban environment.
At the heart of the project is a 285-foot-long, 100-foot-wide landscaped land bridge that visually and physically reconnects downtown St. Louis with the Gateway Arch grounds. To honor the iconic Arch, the MoDOT and Gateway Arch Park teams incorporated curved bridge ends to mimic the monument’s shape, requiring uniquely designed bridge girders and arched end walls ranging from 8 to 14 feet high. Spanning a portion of the highway west of the Arch, the Park Over the Highway structure creates a primary point of access to the grounds. Complementing the Gateway Arch Park’s riverfront improvements, MoDOT enhanced access through the repurposed Pine Street bridge to the north and the new two-way, multimodal Walnut Street bridge to the south, further improving connectivity throughout the 91-acre national park.
Beyond the signature land bridge, the project included:
- Extensive roadway and bridge improvements throughout the downtown corridor;
- Downtown street reconfigurations;
- Traffic signal upgrades and traffic flow enhancements;
- Conversion of Walnut Street from one-way to two-way traffic;
- ADA-compliant sidewalks, curb ramps, and pedestrian facilities;
- Drainage, lighting, and streetscape improvements;
- Extensive public, business, and stakeholder involvement; and
- Construction staging and traffic management planning.
A value engineering workshop shortened construction by three months and saved approximately 6% in construction costs. Innovative contractor provisions provided incentives that accelerated the construction of the land and Walnut Street bridges – an important aspect considering the area’s heavy traffic volumes, downtown businesses, and the historic Old Cathedral adjacent to the bridge.
The Park Over the Highway project transformed what was once a barrier into a thriving civic destination, helping breathe new life into the urban core.
Today, the park continues to evolve with the rhythm of the seasons.
Spring
As winter gives way to spring, the Park Over the Highway comes alive with blooming trees, thriving native plantings, and community events. A stroll through the park reveals fresh greenery, vibrant activity, and inviting energy along the riverfront.
Photos courtesy of Gateway Arch Park Foundation
Summer
Summer has brought some of the park’s busiest days, with free community yoga sessions, the Blues at the Arch Festival, the annual Independence Day celebration, and other riverfront events filling the park with activity throughout the season.
Photos courtesy of Gateway Arch Park Foundation
Fall
Autumn paints the Park Over the Highway in shades of red, orange, and gold as visitors enjoy cooler temperatures, outdoor events, and scenic views between downtown and the riverfront.
Photos courtesy of Gateway Arch Park Foundation
Winter
Winter has brought more excitement to the park during the past decade. During Winterfest, visitors have gathered beneath twinkling lights to roast s’mores, relax in heated igloos, and lace up their skates against the backdrop of the Arch.
Photos courtesy of Gateway Arch Park Foundation
As the project enters its next decade, it will continue to serve as a gathering place for residents and visitors alike, adapting to the needs of the community while reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of downtown St. Louis.
