The Prince Edward Viaduct stretches over one of the busiest highways in Toronto, Ontario, and had unfortunately become a frequent site for suicide occurrences. As a result, a national competition was commissioned for teams to submit a safety barrier design to prevent further incidents. The winning design would be constructed on the viaduct. The Luminous Veil design was chosen as the winning project, and was submitted by Dereck Revington Studio and Yolles. The Luminous Veil is predominantly a steel structure that not only functions as a deterrent, but also preserves the aesthetic appeal and historical heritage of the viaduct and surrounding area.
Hollow structural steel (HSS) frame supports were attached to the existing bridge’s framework at 6.4 m intervals. These supports extend upward at an angle from both sides of the bridge. HSS sections extend inward to support fabricated curved steel plate beams, approximately 4.5 m above the bridge’s sidewalk. Steel rods, 8 mm in diameter and spaced apart at 127 mm, are attached to these beams, and stretch down approximately 5.2 m. The bottom ends of the rods are connected to anchors on the outside of the existing guardrail.
The design team needed to carefully consider designing a barrier that would be large enough to serve its intended purpose, as well as to cause the least amount of increased weight on the existing bridge. Steel’s lightweight quality, and ease of fabrication, served its purpose for this structure. Completed in the Spring of 2003, this transparent and open-concept veil is seen by thousands of commuters who cross over or pass under the viaduct landmark on a daily basis. |