Designing the First Skewed, Unbraced Network Tied Arch Bridge in the U.S.

HDR’s Matt Longfield and Ryan Bersano Discuss Detroit’s Second Avenue Bridge in Structure Magazine

When the Michigan Department of Transportation needed to replace the Second Avenue Bridge over I-94 in Detroit, it was important to span a wider corridor and limit any disruptions to travel on the busy interstate. The resulting design used a unique skewed, unbraced network arch that can accommodate a much wider roadway. And the bridge was constructed using an accelerated approach that meant the structure was assembled nearby and then moved into place during a limited closure. 

HDR served as engineer of record on this unique project, which was the first of its kind in the United States. Bridge engineers Matt Longfield and Ryan Bersano wrote about the project’s technical challenges in a recent article for Structure, the premier publication of the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations. 

“The 2nd Avenue Bridge design emphasizes aesthetics, as well as redundancy, resilience and efficiency,” the authors wrote. “A key design feature is the clear span arch, eliminating the need for future demolition and reconstruction of a median pier. The unbraced arches offer a cleaner, more open appearance, allowing the bridge to serve as a ‘community connector’ rather than acting as a visual barrier within the surrounding environment.”

Read the whole article, “Accelerated Construction of an Unbraced Network Tied Arch Bridge,” in the October 2025 issue of Structure magazine.