Finalists named in bridge design competition

on Wednesday,February 24,2010 15:02

Representatives from the University of Akron and the Defense Metals Technology Center (DMTC) have announced five finalists in their Student Titanium Bridge Design Competition, which will award scholarships to individuals who are pursuing degrees in architecture, engineering or design.

Entrants were challenged to develop original plans for a footbridge that could solve logistical problems at the Quaker Square Inn in Akron, Ohio. This area is separated from the university's main campus by railroad tracks, which forces students who live in the region to use remote bridges.

Follow the preliminary round of proposals, the judges invited teams from Kent State University, Ball State University, Miami University and the University of Akron to personally present their designs to judges at an April 14 event.

Although all five teams will receive scholarship money and grants for their schools, the panel of judges will name first- and second-place winners as well as honorable mention recipients. After the competition, officials from the university and the DMTC will seek federal and private funding to construct the bridge.

Charles Clark, executive director of the DMTC branch in North Canton, Ohio, said the submissions "demonstrate the depth of expertise of the outstanding design, architecture, and engineering schools in [the] region."