Without expressing any opinion regarding the old bridge... I like this new bridge and yes, I do like modern interpretations of "the arch". The single arch leaves even the casual observer wondering how the various forces in the structure are balanced and the architectural gesture to the past while looking to the future, it really works for me.
I just don't "DO" these new, futuristic spans that look like they belong in the movie TRON.
I will take a wonderful truss bridge or a graceful concrete arch over one of these things any day.
I explored this bridge the Sunday after it opened to traffic. While I certainly lament the loss of the gorgeous bridge it replaced, I rather liked this new bridge and think it adds to the city.
This modern and gaudy "thing" that looks like its was designed by drunk engineers and appears about to tip over replaced a handsome open spandrel deck arch bridge that had a great deal of historic significance and was one of the most beautiful and historically unaltered examples of art deco design in a bridge I have ever seen. The demolition of this bridge was shameful and it shows that Columbus is a city that does not care for its heritage in the way other big cities like Chicago do. Unfortunately, I only have a few photos of the arch bridge. I was just getting into my work with historic bridges when I visited this bridge and I did not realize how rare (or doomed) it truly was. http://www.historicbridges.org/ohio/columbus_main/index.htm
FEMA ?