Denver Millennium Bridge, Denver

The Denver Millennium Bridge is recognized as the world's first cable-stayed bridge to employ post-tensioned structural construction. Situated near the vibrant LoDo (Lower Downtown) area, this pedestrian bridge is a critical connection between the 16th Street Mall and Commons Park in the Central Platte Valley District of the Union Station neighborhood. It is one of three pedestrian bridges linking Downtown Denver to the Highland neighborhood, playing a vital role in the city's infrastructure.

The bridge was named to commemorate a milestone in time—the turn of the millennium—and Denver's advancement in architectural design. Spanning 130 feet (40 meters) without requiring a significant elevation change, the bridge's structure is a marvel of engineering. To achieve the necessary stability while maintaining a thin profile, the bridge employs a single tilted mast, standing 200 feet (61 meters) tall, that acts as a lever to create supportive tension across the deck. Steel cables are attached to both sides of the mast, with some anchoring it to the foundation, ensuring the bridge's structural integrity.

This innovative design allowed for the constructing of a reinforced concrete deck that is only six inches thick, supported by secondary I-beams, and features an average width of 80 feet (24 meters). The deck rises no more than 25 feet (8 meters) above street level, making it accessible for pedestrians and minimizing the climb required to cross.

The Denver Millennium Bridge is not only a functional piece of infrastructure but also a symbol of the city's architectural progress, standing prominently in the northwest skyline of Denver and serving as a gateway between key neighborhoods.