Albany Skyway

Source: Albany Skyway

Albany Skyway is a great example of how the reuse of existing infrastructure can give a new chance at life and give a breath of fresh air into the city, by creating a new pedestrian pathway that never existed before.

First, let us talk about the sustainable side of this. Reuse and preservation of a piece of infrastructure is so much more sustainable than if one were to tear it down and rebuild. Even, when you do rebuild that new building will never completely fit the original context of the area, as much as the older building/ infrastructure that was built when the rest of the area was being developed. The alternative approach of tearing down and rebuilding not only consumes valuable resources but often results in structures that lack the historical and architectural integrity of the original. When existing infrastructure is thoughtfully repurposed, it not only reduces waste but also retains the character and context of the neighborhood. In the case of the Albany Skyway, preserving the original structure aligns with the city's commitment to sustainability, offering a clear example of how to reduce the environmental footprint of urban development.

Secondly, the repurposing of this "is one of the more innovative examples in the movement to enhance equitable access to urban green space." The offramp was not experiencing the rate of traffic that it was planned for. This led Gary Sorge, to "identify this underutilized exit ramp as the perfect opportunity to restore connections between people and nature, create new options for recreation, and support overall community health and wellbeing."

Although the bridge-like form does present some design challenges and did require some custom solutions for the parapet-lined park, it was extremely instrumental in achieving one of the major aims set out to accomplish- restoring community connections. Literally, the bridge connects two portions of the community that were previously separated by the highway. This reconnection of the divided community helped to restore connections that were severed and help bring people together and help celebrate the local history and landscape.