There is a lot to appreciate about the City of Greenville, including what could be called the state’s largest installation art exhibit, the Liberty Bridge. In reality, it’s also a highly attractive way to get from point A to point B. But how much do you really know about the bridge?
Before Liberty Bridge was constructed in the mid 2000s, there was a big, bulky bridge in her spot that totally obstructed the views of the waterfall on the Reedy River.
As Falls Park on the Reedy began to take shape, the old bridge was removed and work on Liberty began. At 345 feet in length, the one-of-its-kind in America bridge spans a little more than the length of a football field.
The underside of the bridge is nearly as astounding as the top. The concrete surface is supported by leveling brackets, as shown here. But the heavy lifting is done elsewhere.
A series of three sets of cables, all working together, provide the means to keep Liberty aloft. Two inclined masts aid in stringing up the various cables. Don't let their trim appearance fool you; each one of the masts weighs in at 28 tons.
You probably don't notice the slight up and down tick in the flow, but there is, in fact, a 12 foot drop from one end of Liberty to the other. That's understandable, though, since your eyes are almost certainly elsewhere!
Since her completion in 2004, Liberty Bridge (and all of Falls Park) have been recognized worldwide many times over. The park and it's one-of-a-kind (in America) bridge are a sight to behold.
