Page 5 - RR10-10-24

Thursday, October 10, 2024 • • 5

Ralph Wilson Park Bridge photo: https://rwparkbuffalo.org/

Ralph Wilson Park Bridge installed over I-190

The 266-foot Ralph Wilson Park highway, with one in the roadbed. also creating a safe and welcoming
bridge was successfully installed A community-driven visioning crossing into the park.
over the I-190, marking another im- process for Ralph Wilson Park that The Ralph Wilson Park bridge
portant milestone in the complex started in 2018 called Imagine La- was manufactured by Cimolai in
construction project underway at Salle emphasized that one of the Italy and traveled across the ocean
the park. community’s top priorities was safe in four pieces earlier this year. After
Designed with community input access to the park. Hearing that passing through the New York har-
to increase access to the waterfront, feedback, the City of Buffalo, the bor, the four pieces were loaded
the bridge will create a new pedes- State of New York, and the Ralph onto two barges for the trip to Buf-
trian and bicyclist entrance to Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation added a falo on the Erie Canal.
Wilson Park when it opens to the major infrastructure project to the A world-renowned panel will
public in early 2026. Ralph Wilson original scope of the park design: discuss the bridge on Saturday, Oct.
Park (former LaSalle Park) is a the pedestrian bridge and the rede- 19 at 10:30 a.m. during a free, open-
100+ acre waterfront park in the sign of the 4th Street side of the to-the-public panel and reception on
City of Buffalo that is currently un- park. The cost of both is approxi- the Art of Architecture at the Buffa-
dergoing a transformation to create mately $20 million. lo AKG Lipsey Auditorium on Elm-
a world-class public space that is The bridge design was chosen wood Ave.
safe, accessible and fun for all to through a community-based design
enjoy. competition led by the University at
The bridge installation started Buffalo Regional Institute in early
late on Saturday, Oct. 5, and 2020. The community chose schla-
wrapped up in the morning of Sun- ich bergermann partner (sbp),
day, Oct. 6. Dozens of emergency known for its creative, elegant, sus-
services agencies, along with state tainable design of long-span bridges
and local partners, worked in coor- and other structures throughout the
dination to remove the old pedestri- world. The design illustrates an ap-
an bridge by crane and place the preciation for Buffalo’s rich archi-
new 220-ton bridge superstructure tectural and industrial heritage,
over the I-190 and railroad tracks. coupled with a desire to create an
Two gantry cranes and one 100-ton innovative and optimized structure.
rough terrain assist crane were used The structure is an enclosed steel
and placed on either side of the arch that protects pedestrians from
the noise and traffic below, while
Promote your Business Here!
Speaker series takes another look at
the immigrants who made Black Rock Call Steve or Michelle,

from page 1
Seeing common traits 716-835-9454.
in today’s world
Like the immigrants of today,
who come from different parts of the
world but share the same dream of a
better life, the Polish, Ukrainian,
German, Italian and Irish immi-
grants who made their way across
the ocean were determined to pro-
vide a better future for their children
and grandchildren, Kinal said.
His father was a frugal man, Greg Kinal with grandfathers
driving to the grocery store to pay landing card
bills rather than spending money on
stamps and living close to the facto- tuition as well. But halfway through
ry where he worked to save money his son’s time in college, Kinal’s
on gas. Kinal recalls wondering why father passed away.
his father worked so hard but saved “Now it’s graduation day, and
so much of his money. “He still had this is before cell phones, and my
that immigrant ideal. It’s not about son is late. We’re going to Buff
us, it’s about the next generation. State and he pulls in. I’m going
We’re going to take care of them.” ‘Scott, where were you? Are you
Kinal’s father paid for his crazy! I’ve got all these people,
daughter’s college education at the where were you?’ And he says, ‘I
State University of New York at went to the cemetery. I went to
Buffalo and, when it was time for thank grandpa for paying.’ And you
his son to attend Buff State, he made know what? My father wouldn’t
the same insistence, to pay for his have thought anything of it.”