University of Washington Station Bridge Railings
Owner: Sound Transit
General Contractor: ISEC
Architects: LMN Architects, Swift Compnay & KPFF
Railing Fabrication: StellarCraft
Product: Vega- Robust Picket Railing
The Challenge: Underperforming & Failing Bridge Railings
StellarCraft was brought in to replace the failing bridge railings for the University of Washington Station’s pedestrian and cyclist bridge paths. What began as a standard installation quickly raised concerns for the project team. Seattle’s persistent rain and damp conditions caused the original mild steel railings, fabricated by another vendor, to corrode almost immediately. Beyond the material issues, visible installation flaws such as misalignment, gaps, and off-center placement created safety risks and noticeable disconnect from the overall design intent.
The geometry of the bridge added another layer to the challenge. The bridge itself features a complex “banana-shaped” form with compound curves, slopes, and transitions across ramps and stairs. The bridge spanned a total of 400 feet and had a maximum clearance of 136 feet above the underlying roadway. Every section of the railing needed to be continuous despite the shifting geometry beneath it.
Working on an active roadway introduced installation constraints that demanded careful coordination between the StellarCraft team and the onsite construction team. Field verification and installation could only take place during tightly scheduled shutdown windows, leaving no margin for delays or rework. At the same time, the system needed to meet strict project requirements, including certified welding, structural performance standards, and a high-quality coating system backed by a 20-year warranty.
As these challenges became more apparent, it was clear the bridge railings could not simply be repaired. Instead, the railings needed to be refabricated entirely. The general contractor and architectural team made the decision to bring in StellarCraft to deliver a solution that would meet both performance expectations and the design vision.
The Solution: StellarCraft Vega Robust Picket Bridge Railings
For StellarCraft, this project was about more than replacing a failed system. It was an opportunity to deliver a result the customer could confidently stand behind. To do this, StellarCraft began with conducting a precise field verification process. Using advanced digital scanning, the team captured real-world site conditions and translated those data points into a detailed 3D model. This approach made it possible to design a railing system that accurately followed the bridge’s complex curves and shifting slopes.
The model quickly evolved into a powerful communication tool. By presenting the design in a clear and visual format, the team was able to confirm that all architectural, structural, and code requirements were being met while keeping stakeholders aligned. Early design confidence was established by inviting the client to review and approve the railing models before fabrication began. Supporting this process, a dedicated StellarCraft project manager remained actively involved from start to finish. This allowed for open communication, quick responses to questions, and close coordination with other trades on site.
Material selection also played a critical role in the long-term success of the project. The system was redesigned using aluminum to provide a more durable and corrosion resistant solution suited for Seattle’s environment. Custom extrusions were developed in collaboration with a manufacturing partner to achieve the required profiles while maintaining cost efficiency.
Throughout production, quality assurance remained a constant priority. Certified welding documentation and workmanship samples were provided to demonstrate compliance with project specifications. A specialized paint contractor applied a high-performance coating to the bridge railings that were backed by a 20-year warranty. With installation tied to limited roadway closure windows, fabrication was carefully sequenced and completed in batches. This ensured the project stayed on schedule without compromising quality.
The Result: Fully Fabricated and Functioning Bridge Railings
The completed aluminum picket railing spans approximately 2,300 linear feet. Each picket was made out of 2×3-inch rectangular aluminum tubing. Stretching over Montlake Boulevard, the bridge railings feature a slender profile that creates a gentle ascent to the transit hub. Two flowing compound curves define separate paths for pedestrians and cyclists, gradually diverging at either end of the bridge.
Designed to complement this geometry, StellarCraft’s Vega Robust Picket Railing follow each curve and transition with precision. In doing so, it not only corrects the failures of the original installation but also introduces a more durable, long-term solution. The use of aluminum combined with a high-performance coating system provides strong resistance to corrosion.
At the station connection, movement through the space feels intuitive and well-organized. Pedestrians and cyclists can access upper-level entries of the transit station via elevators and escalators or transition along a prominent stairway leading to the shared plaza near Husky Stadium. Today, the bridge serves as a critical connection within Seattle’s transportation network. Stretching 543 feet, it provides convenient access to key destinations including the University of Washington Medical Center, Husky Stadium, the Burke-Gilman trail, and multiple local and regional bus lines.
We were proud to partner with ISEC on this project. Client feedback reflects the strength of that collaboration. As noted by ISEC Project Manager Jesse Maddox:
“ISEC has had the distinct pleasure of working with this thoroughly professional company, who cared about their work on this fast paced project; the attention to detail, professional approach to problem solving and positive attitude made the process seamless. ISEC looks forward to working with StellarCraft again in the very near future on any projects that require superior metals work.”
Photography: Kevin Scott
Awards related to this Project
- 2021 AIA National Honor Award for Architecture
- 2019 ASLA National Honor Award (General Design)
- 2018 AIA National Honor Award for Interior Architecture
- 2018 WAN Transport Award
- 2017 Architizer Popular Choice Winner (Architecture + Glass)
- 2017 American Architecture Awards (Airports and Transportation Centers)
- 2017 Chicago Athenaeum International Architecture Award
- 2017 SCUP Excellence Award (Landscape Architecture)
- 2016 Fast Company Innovation by Design Award (Honorable Mention, Spaces, Places, Cities)
- 2016 City of Seattle Design Commission Design Excellence Award
- 2016 AIA Washington Council Civic Design Award (Honorable Mention)
- 2016 AIA Seattle Award of Merit
- 2016 ASCE Local Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award (Transportation & Development)
- 2016 ACEC Washington Gold Award
- 2016 Architect’s Newspaper Best of Design Award
