Simpson Success Stories
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Sundial Bridge
The Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay Exploration Park crosses the Sacramento River in the heart of Redding. Opened July 4, 2004, the 700-foot bridge serves as an entrance for pedestrians and bicyclist taking Redding’s Sacramento River Trail. The Sundial Bridge has been billed as the world's largest working sundial.
The bridge, which is made from steel and over 200 tons of glass and granite, provides for spectacular viewing. The bridge has become a Redding staple and has brought in millions of dollars worth of commerce and tourism each year.
The bridge is also environmentally sensitive to its river setting. The tall pylon and cable stays allow the bridge to avoid the nearby salmon-spawning habitat there are no supports in the water while encouraging public appreciation for the river.
World renowned Spanish architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava conceived the Sundial Bridge’s unusual design and it is his first free-standing bridge in the United States.
