16. Story Bridge (underpass)

Bridges hold weight, not just in a physical way, but also socially and even politically. They connect and unite that which seems divided. Bridges also have a rhythm and a pulse that is drawn not only from their material construction, but also from those using it.

From underneath the Story Bridge a rhythm of ta-ta dominates, as traffic above hits the expansion joints of the 777 metre, cantilever bridge. It is a construction of polyrhythms and of doppler-like¹ textures as vehicles approach and fade away.

It is not just a throughfare for vehicles though. In the underpass, pedestrians form their own rhythms, footsteps, bicycles, scooters and skateboards are all in transit at different speeds, and various intensities. Their urgency speaks to the destinations and activities. Casual walkers pass by, partial conversations appear and merge into others, social cut-ups that are often startling in their juxtapositions of conversation.

A fire engine rushes out of the Kemp Place. Its voice is partially concealed amidst the rush hour traffic, its rising and falling siren is gradually lost in city traffic. Rush hour fades, ushered in by a temporal demarcation; the same rhythmic pattern persists, just with less rapid reproduction.

– Lawrence English

1. A reference to the Doppler effect, a concept in physics relating to the frequency of sound.