ATLANTA, GA --Beginning May 9, the public will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite designs among proposals for two Atlanta bridge projects: the 10th Street Bridge in Midtown and the Courtland Street/Ralph McGill Boulevard Bridge in Downtown. The Atlanta Bridgescape Competition has attracted broad participation from design teams that were challenged to enhance existing infrastructure for motorists along the Interstate 75-85 Connector and to improve the environment for pedestrians and cyclists on the bridge surfaces.

The official Competition winners will be selected by a jury of esteemed design professionals; however the People's Choice Award has been established to encourage public input and celebrate design excellence. Online voting through the Competition website www.AtlantaBridgescapeCompetition.com will remain open through May 14 at 5 p.m.

Alternatively, the public can cast their votes in person during an Open House reception on May 12 from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. at Cornerstone Village,located at 800 Peachtree Street, Suite D. The design teams responsible for each of the final design concepts will be revealed at the event, which will also feature remarks from members of the Competition jury.  Registration is required. To RSVP, visit Atlanta Bridgescape Open House.

Prior to the Open House reception on May 12, the Competition jury will assemble to determine the winning designs.

"The jury comprises design professionals who are considered to be experts in their respective fields," said competition manager, Tony Rizzuto, who is Ph.D. Chair in the Department of Architecture at Kennesaw State University. "We are confident that the jury will choose the best design for each bridge taking into consideration key issues like connectivity, pedestrian and bicycle mobility, and sustainabilityin the context of the overarching Connector Vision plan and project budget."

The Atlanta Bridgescape Competition is part of the ongoing effort to elevate the experience of travelers along the Connector and improve the environment on the bridge surfaces. Launched earlier this year, the Atlanta Bridgescape Competition solicited participation from multi-disciplinary teams for two bridge enhancement projects -- one in Midtown and one in Downtown.  Receiving over twenty submissions, the Competition jury shortlisted five finalists -- three for the 10th Street Bridge in Midtown and two for the Courtland/McGill Bridge in Downtown -- who have been working to further develop and refine their ideas, including the feasibility of implementation based on a budget of up to $3 million per bridge.

The official Competition winners and People's Choice favorites will be announced at the 2015 AIA Convention on May 15. Get social with us using #atlbridgescape and find us on Facebook at Atlanta Connector Project.