Jacobson Park Pedestrian Bridge Replacement, Lexington, Kentucky

CLIENT: Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG)

At Jacobson Park, a pedestrian bridge provides an important connection between the parking area and an adjacent playground. After reaching the end of its service life, the deteriorating wooden structure required a replacement designed to withstand its waterfront setting and serve park users for years to come.

Clark Dietz served as lead engineer for the replacement of the approximately 110-foot crossing over the reservoir. The team developed a durable, low-maintenance bridge design, balancing structural performance, cost, installation requirements, and public safety.

Designing for a Waterfront Setting

Clark Dietz coordinated geotechnical and surveying services to evaluate site conditions and establish a reliable foundation for design. Using subsurface information and survey data, the structural team assessed support conditions and worked closely with a precast concrete manufacturer to develop a turnkey bridge solution suited to the site.

Jacobson Park Pedestrian bridge components (Lexington, KY).

The crossing’s length and location over water made constructability central to the design process. The team evaluated construction approaches, including multiple cofferdam configurations, to support efficient foundation installation and bridge placement. These evaluations informed an approach intended to reduce in-water work, minimize environmental impacts, and support an achievable construction schedule.

Planning for Public Safety

The park’s active use and the bridge’s proximity to a playground required careful consideration of how construction would affect visitors. Design and construction planning addressed site access, sequencing, and separation between public areas and construction operations.

The team considered both daytime work and after-hours conditions, including potential exposure to stored materials and equipment, to help protect the children and families who use the park.

Supporting Long-Term Park Access

Clark Dietz prepared bid-ready construction documents detailing the structural design, site considerations, and coordination requirements for implementation. The resulting design provides LFUCG with a durable replacement that will strengthen this important park connection and improve the crossing’s safety, accessibility, and long-term performance.

Learn more about Clark Dietz’s work in Kentucky in From Mentor to Teammate: Building Kentucky Communities Through Engineering.