The aesthetic design of the SH-9 East Bridge is a meditation on water. The color blue is used in the structure to represent the neighboring Lake Thunderbird and Canadian River. The bridge’s blue girder slenderizes the whole structure, making it appear light and nearly floating in the clear blue sky. Undulating waves are repeated across the span of the parapet fascia in an Art Deco style motif. Inverted blue triangles appear above each pier along the parapet to break up this expansive wave pattern design.
The pier bents are inspired by the Art Deco architectural style seen throughout Oklahoma. Each pier has a fluted base that then sprouts out to form the arms of the lintel. The forms making up each pier create an abstract representation of the thunderbird of Lake Thunderbird, with the tail feathers being the flutes, and the lintel arms being the wingspan. Blue ribbon work accents the wings and provides more color as travelers drive under the bridge.
The SH-9 East Bridge is part of an eight bridge Aesthetic Master Design Plan CDR developed for the I-35 Corridor in Norman, Oklahoma. The design for each bridge finds its inspiration in either the history, architectural, flora or fauna, or the industry of this region.
See the associated highway walls.
