Abstract:
The appearance of the many thousands of more commonplace bridges seldom gets much attention. This is not for lack of good intentions. Typically, improved appearance is discussed at the beginning of a project. As work on the design continues, however, other matters get more attention. This paper examines why this is so, then attempts to show (a) that aesthetic quality in bridges is a legitimate goal of public policy, in fact as well as in theory; (b) that engineers individually, and the engineering profession collectively, must provide that quality; and (c) how such quality can be achieved.
