Historical Perspective
The Walt Whitman Bridge was opened in May of 1959 and it has beared its familiar green largely since, over 60 years ago. The bridge was named after poet Walt Whitman and its blue-green color was inspired by the likeness of the colors of both the local Patapsco River and the Delware River near PHIadelphia – both of which the great writer had gazed upon and found beauty and comfort in. The bridge was designed by the then-prominent firm Driggs Engineering, which understand and ispired the feeling of the colors on the bridges to give honor to the striking beauty of their locations.
The Signature Color
Since its initial construction, the landmark Walt Whitman Bridge has been a notable fixture of the American and Philly-area landscape mostly due to its green hue. Green gives the bridge an unmistakable look, making it visible and identifiable at a great distance. Bridge signage and road markings are also prominently green. From a distance, the contrast of the green to the grey of its structure contributes to the strong look and impression visitors have of the bridge over time.
For those who visit or travel across the bridge often, the familiarity of the color builds a sense of familiarity and security that contributes to the overall well-being of traffic over the bridge. The green has become inextricably linked to the bridge and is often used in branding and marketing for projects related to the bridge.
Symbolism
Green is recognized as a symbol of growth and refreshment, and so stays true to the nature of Walt Whitman’s poetic musings. Many travelers over the bridge – be it for recreational, commercial or other reasons – consider the bridge a source of sustenance, either in the most literal sense of helping provide goods, services and other needs or in terms of a mental source of rejuvenation.
The bridge also serves as a symbol of progress, against the backdrop of the industrial, urban landscape it carries. It is an accomplishment of a formidable scale, and a reminder of the advances in modern engineering and construction. That feeling is further bolstered by the strong contrast of the green of the bridge with the grey of the background buildings.
The Results of Painting the Bridge
Painting the bridge green adds to the overall value of its presence – not just as a transportation method in the present, but also as a significant source of history and nostalgia. Painter Douglas Pilgrim painted a series of oil paintings which have been likened to works of art, and some have gone on to feature in galleries around the world.
In addition, the green color of the bridge could be argued to aid in the safety of drivers who cross the bridge. The bright color is visible at great distance, and so provides a sort warning to drivers during the day and night. This visibility helps drivers to give themselves adequate widespots, or cause an awareness of the bridge when lighter conditions prevent a clear view of it.
Examining Future Irradiance of the Bridge
As the Walt Whitman Bridge enters its sixth decade, the color of the bridge is still a significant source of inspiration for many. Polls conducted in the past have seen a rise in the number of people who consider green to be their favorite color – including heavily-trafficked truck drivers and other travelers who cross the bridge. This increase in popularity serves as a testament to how the green of the bridge can help to revive and reinforce its purpose as a bridge in the minds of those who use it.
The permanency of the green of the bridge can be seen to lend it security and value, further reinforcing its stature as a landmark that stands at the center of a bustling broadway skyline and the beautiful natural landscape beyond. As long as the color remains, those who cross it can expect to experience the same stirring power and beauty of the bridge, and a sense of connection to its historical heritage, which the green epitomizes.
Impact of Green on the Environment
The green of the bridge can also be seen to bring impact to the environment in a macro level. The environmental impact of the green paint paints the bridge in a positive light, as the paint materials used to keep the bridge green adhere to global standards of safety and environmental consideration.
Particular consideration has been given to the testing biases of the global colour trends – ensuring that the colours chosen are both safe and aesthetically pleasing, whilst remaining consistent to their original hue. As a result, the bridge remains a source of pleasure, not only for those who use and cross the bridge, but for those living nearby and throughout the world.
The green color of the bridge is seen to uphold its stature as an iconic landmark and source of history, which continues to impact those who cross and visit the bridge.
Economic Benefits of Green
The green of the bridge has also been seen to bring an economic benefit to the community surrounding the bridge and across the region as a whole. This benefit is due to the draw of tourist numbers, further contributing to the hospitality and services industry in the area.
The bright green gives the bridge a unique look and feel that draws attention to it, positioning the bridge as a must-see destination for people across the world. Additionally, the bridge is often noted as a reference point by which to judge the progress of urban development, and an example of how the modern cityscape can be organized in an aesthetic, environmentally-friendly manner.
The lively green adds to the bridge’s brilliance, helping to make it a source of pride for the area and inspiring other cities to make efforts to uphold their own landmarks and environment in a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing way.
Long Lasting Effects of Keeping the Bridge Green
By keeping the bridge green, the bridge is able to maintain its hard-earned place in history, as well as retaining strong ties with its historical and culturally significant subject, Walt Whitman. In this way, the color of green helps to ensure the bridge remains steeped in a sense of familiarity and connection to its original purpose and inspirations.
Though the actual painting process of the bridge is lengthy, taking up to three weeks and sometimes even more, the wait proves itself to be worthwhile, as the bridge remains glamorous, mysterious and vibrant all year round. The effect of this string of dedication can be felt in the way the bridge serves its purpose – safe and efficient, yet beautiful, captivating and inspiring.
Repainting Process of Bridge
The process of painting the bridge green is a lengthy and rigorous one, taking up to three weeks and sometimes even more. This process is neccessary to ensure the bridge does not succumb to the strain of the elements, and remains in an optimal state for transporting both goods and people uninterrupted and safely.
The process begins with the crew power-washing the bridge, then de-rusting any exposed areas. The bridge is then recoated and primed, allowing the owner of the bridge to closely inspect the coatings and structures of the bridge and address any potentially dangerous areas ahead of re-painting.
The green paint is then painstakingly applied to the bridge, in multiple stages and through a number of different procedures. The green paint is put on in stages, with each layer being monitored closely for quality. This layered application assures that each area of the bridge gets a full and comprehensive coat of paint, creating a color that stays sure, and produces a consistent result.
Improvments to Keep the Bridge Green in the Future
As technology continues to develop, methods of bridge protection and management have seen great improvement. The use of robots on bridges for some of the painting process can be seen to bring cost and time savings – with robots able to perform more detailed surface preparations in shorter amounts of time, resulting in faster and more efficient painting.
Moreover, the use of smart sensors which monitor the conditions of bridges allow owners of the bridge to identify potential areas of strain quickly and efficiently. This assists in allowing managers to spot future areas that need to be attended to, and adjust the painting process accordingly.
These technologies are seen as a great help to keeping the bridge green – ensuring that it remains strong and healthy, as well as attractive and captivating, in the days to come.
