Cornell’s bridges are perched atop two scenic gorges: Fall Creek and Cascadilla. While securing student safety was the prime concern, keeping Ithaca’s serene views accessible to the staff and students was also important.
University architect, Gilbert Delgado and associate university architect, Andrew Magre worked with Boston-based NADAAA architects to develop the plans for Bridge Safety Nets.
The inspiration came from off-bridge netting along the Swiss bridges that have reportedly almost stopped suicides from these bridges. Ithaca’s solution includes cameras and heat sensors installed at the bridges to ascertain if a person is caught in the nets.
The Wire Mesh used measures 3.0 mm x 140 mm. It was chosen in a color called Black Oxide because that provided the best visibility in the surrounding conditions.
Durable suspension cables made of stainless steel stranded wire, construction 1 x 19 in sized from 16 mm to 26 mm in diameter were used.
Instead of installing one long length of Wire Mesh, sections of Webnet were stretched taut between horizontal poles splicing the bridges at regular intervals. The Webnet Wire Mesh is designed without any joints and can be contracted or pulled open like an accordion.
Jakob’s Rope Systems is glad at having helped the university achieve a favorable equation between the two factors.
Jakob Webnet Wire Mesh Series are the definite solution to material choice for installing Bridge Net Safety structures in public infrastructure.