Filed under: Art, tunnel, walking, wall street museum
Just Another Bump in the Road
Do you ever wonder what it would be like to experience the big city vibe of street musicians, artists, and people watching while walking the streets of Phoenix? I bet you didn’t know that there is a pedestrian underpass on Camelback Road in East Phoenix that not only serves as a safe alternative for pedestrians, but an artists’ mecca as well.
Completed in May 2007, this 86-foot-long, $6 million tunnel connects the Biltmore Fashion Park to the half-dozen or so office and condo towers at the Esplanade Center. Designed to promote foot traffic to both locations, it’s a better way for pedestrians to battle the 6-lane street between the park and commercial district. From the road, it appears as nothing more than a six-foot-high bump on Camelback Road.
As far back as 1990, studies were done of the area and the city originally proposed a pedestrian overpass. After two public meetings, it was determined that an underpass, similar to a footbridge, would be the most user-friendly and safe alternative. And because everywhere you look in Phoenix there’s a view, the underpass would also provide an unobstructed scenic view of the mountains.
Today, not only does the underpass provide safe passage for pedestrians, it also has incorporated decorative pavement, landscaping and rubberized asphalt integrated into the pavement to minimize noise and vibration. You’ll also find bike refuge areas, new area directional ramps at corners and canopy shade structures.
Not only are you in one of the most stunning tunnels I’ve ever seen, with an oriental designed floor and glass block walls that glow from the sun shining through the skylight above, but you’ll also be entertained by various street musicians playing everything from Stevie Wonder to Bach.
It seems that Scottsdale wants to build a similar underpass between shopping districts Kierland Commons and the Scottsdale Quarter. It’s a great way to keep us all moving, save gas and take in the wonderful sunshine that we all love!
Photo courtesy of Walking Info.org
