You like yacht design?

[SloopJonB]

I was told they had to build the G.E. bridge that way because of the bottom they were building in - apparently they couldn't do the usual two big towers in that spot. The multiple tower style certainly doesn't look as good as the two (or even one) tower style. It gives the bridges a squatty, functional kind of look instead of the soaring artistry of the high towers.

To my eye a two tower stayed bridge is far more beautiful and dramatic than a conventional suspension bridge. Wonder how one would look over the Golden Gate.

[derekb]

All the projects I work on suffer form needing so please several masters. Yes we have a cost constraint that is real but we also have a zoning code that is very prescriptive, written by committee and debated at city council. Then we have a public design review process that allows EVERYONE to voice their opinion of the design. This process tends to kill off the more adventurous designs unless there is a really strong champion of the project and the project and afford the time to get it approved. Time is more the constraint then funds.

[SloopJonB]

Letting "The Herd" have a say in the design of public works is simply stupid, gutless PC - who was it said "No one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the common man"?

No one would think for a minute to let "The Public" have a say in the structural design of a bridge but when it comes to the visual aspect, suddenly they qualify.

I don't want to live in a lowest common denominator world. It would be so nice if public figures had the guts to just say "your opinion of this subject has no value" some of the time.