Untitled - Ridgeview Road Railroad Bridge
Owner: City of Olathe (sculptures), BNSF (bridge)
Artist: Stan Herd (artist); Ochsner, Hare & Hare (bridge enhancement designers)
Dates: Dedicated April 11, 2008
Medium: Steel
Description:
In the mid-2000s, the City of Olathe and BNSF Railroad collaborated on the Olathe Rail Grade Separation project, also known as "Raise the Rail." This project was put in place in order to separate vehicular traffic from railroad traffic. Vehicular traffic was on the increase in Olathe, particularly between downtown Olathe and Interstate 35, and major backups would be caused when a train passed through town. The solution was to elevate the tracks above street grade, hence "Raise the Rail." A total of four railroad bridges were built as part of the project. The bridge that passed over Ridgeview Road, north of Santa Fe Street, was given an extra design element.
Renown artist Stan Herd, in association with the design firm Ochsner, Hare & Hare, designed the bridge rails for the bridge over Ridgeview Road. The rails are made out of the same type of steel as the bridge girders. They depict scenes of settlers, pioneers and environments that one might have found in this location during the days of westward expansion. Each rail is approximately 8 feet tall and 235 feet long. They honor Olathe's past while providing a decorative element to what could have been another "generic" railroad bridge.
Ridgeview RR 001 Ridgeview RR 002 Ridgeview RR 003 Ridgeview RR 004 Ridgeview RR 005 Ridgeview RR 006 Ridgeview RR 007 Ridgeview RR Bridge 001 Ridgeview RR 008 Ridgeview RR 009 Ridgeview RR 010 Ridgeview RR 011 Ridgeview RR 012 Ridgeview RR 013 Ridgeview RR 014 Ridgeview RR 015 Ridgeview RR Bridge 002
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