Robert N. Stewart (Second Street) Bridge, 1999

Second Street/State Road 46, Columbus, IN 47201

Designer: J. Muller International

Description:

The Robert N. Stewart Bridge offers an impressive view of two of the city’s notable structures: the Bartholomew County Courthouse and the tower of First Christian Church. The bridge is a fully suspended bridge with 40 cables that spread in a fan shape across the sides of the bridge. The structure is supported by four pylon legs painted orange and in an A shape. The bridge has a sleek and elegant silhouette that gives it an understated grandeur. The massive size and bright orange color of the bridge creates a striking image of connectivity between the city of Columbus and its neighbors.

Significance Statement – including special status and awards won:

The Robert N. Stewart bridge was built as part of the Front Door Project in the 1990s and is an early example of cable stayed bridges in the United States. The Front Door Project focused on connecting the city of Columbus, off State Road 46 to the Interstate. By building up this route with development and quality infrastructure Columbus was able to create an effective entry to downtown Columbus, an area renowned for architectural excellence. Originally called the Second Street bridge, in 2013 Governor Mike Pence (a resident of Columbus) declared the bridge be named Robert N. Stewart Bridge, in recognition of the former mayor of Columbus.

 Designation status:

None

Style: Cable stayed bridge

Owner (past/present): City of Columbus Indiana

Material: Steel

Additions and/or changes with date: None

Historic use/current use: Bridge

Is building open to the public?: Yes

Condition: Excellent

Website and/or sources of information:

 Research Sources:

Columbus Indiana. “Robert N. Stewart Bridge.” 2015. Accessed August 6, 2015. http://columbus.in.us/see-do/robert-n-stewart-bridge

Indiana Department of Transportation. “Governor Pence Dedicates Robert N. Stewart Bridge.” September 4, 2013. Accessed August 6, 2015. http://www.in.gov/activecalendar/EventList.aspx?fromdate=9/1/2013&todate=9/30/2013&display=Month&type=public&eventidn=124546&view=EventDetails&information_id=187725