New Bedford pedestrian bridge wins global award. Meet the artist
New Bedford pedestrian bridge wins global award. Meet the artist
Seth Chitwood, The Standard-TimesThu, May 7, 2026 at 8:02 AM UTC
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NEW BEDFORD — Since February 2025, the New Bedford Pedestrian Bridge, a luminous public artwork titled “Equinox,” has been a major attraction greeting visitors who arrive by train to the Whaling City.
It has now been named a Platinum Winner at the International Architecture and Design Awards 2026.
The bridge, part of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s South Coast Rail project, is a pedestrian and bicycle connection between New Bedford’s Acushnet neighborhood and the new commuter rail station near the Whale’s Tooth parking lot.
At the heart of the award-winning design is creator Tracy Silva Barbosa, the artist behind Duende Studio. Barbosa said she set out to create a confluence of art, architecture and nature so travelers can be surrounded by beauty as they arrive and depart by train.
“It looks the most beautiful early in the morning. And that’s intentional, because that’s when most people are bleary-eyed and heading to work,” Barbosa said. “And I want to give my fellow humans a moment of beauty, something contemplative.”
Derek Johnson, laborer steward, makes his way down the stairs which access the pedestrian bridge spanning over Route 18, at the new train station being constructed at the Whale's Tooth parking lot in New Bedford. In the background the elevator tower featuring vibrant artistic glass panels.What to know about the award
Founded in 2019, the Architecture & Design Community established the International Architecture and Design Awards to recognize outstanding architects and designers from around the world.
The organization’s mission is to celebrate creative achievement, foster modern architectural trends, and promote innovative design methodologies. The New Bedford Pedestrian Bridge’s Platinum honor places it among leading global projects recognized for design excellence and community impact.
The bridge’s 240-foot span features dual arches supporting a 10-foot-wide walkway through a networked array of steel cables. Rising 47 feet above the walking surface, the arches are illuminated at night, creating a striking visual gateway to New Bedford’s waterfront and downtown.
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Fennick McCredie Architecture also played a major part in the execution of the bridge and elevator. The design-focused practice of 74 people based in Boston, according to the website, has a reputation for innovative, enduring architecture.
"We understand the need to balance the ideals of place making, community building and sustainable design with the realities of building performance criteria, constructability, schedule and budget. This balance best serves our clients," the website stated in its mission statement.
Derek Johnson, laborer steward, makes his way up the stairs to access the pedestrian bridge spanning over Route 18, at the new train station being constructed at the Whale's Tooth parking lot in New Bedford.
Beyond its architectural presence, the bridge is part of a broader regional transformation. The MBTA South Coast Rail project reconnects five southeastern Massachusetts communities to the Boston region, restoring commuter rail access to an underserved area and expanding equitable, sustainable transportation options.
The creation of 'Equinox' and what it means to see it
Using a ceramic ink printing process on plate glass, “Equinox” work creates durable, non-fading imagery intended to withstand time, weather, and daily use, according to Barbosa.
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Each side of the glass tower represents one of the four seasons, brought to life through 120 crafted digital files. The result is an immersive piece of public art that changes with light, time of day, and the movement of people passing through the station.
New Bedford Pedestrian bridge earns Platinum Winner at the International Architecture and Design Awards 2026.
“We refined the design to have these particular areas that are clear so people can see in and out, but still have the design encompass the whole tower,” Barbosa said.
A Massachusetts native and graduate of Massachusetts College of Art, Barbosa moved from New York to New Bedford in 2010. She said the project reflects a long-held fascination with public art in transit spaces and the belief that everyday infrastructure can offer emotional and aesthetic value.
“I’ve always been interested specifically in art in transit,” she said. “As a user of public transit my whole life, I just felt like it was this ideal place for an element of transcendence that’s accessible to everyone.”
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Barbosa describes her work as rooted in landscape but open to interpretation.
“I like to offer ambiguity in my work that is rooted in landscape,” she said. “So you can look at it and be like, yes, that’s a landscape. But there are other things going on that offer space for your own story.”
New Bedford community embraces the artistic design
According to Barbosa, the project demonstrates how infrastructure can serve multiple purposes at once: solving a mobility challenge, improving access to transit, strengthening neighborhood connections, and creating a memorable civic landmark.
It is also an important statement about the role of art in shared public spaces.
“Art in public spaces is not just advertising. It offers moments of personal growth," Barbosa said, adding that she hopes the success of “Equinox” and the bridge will help set a new standard for public transit environments.
“I’ve been told I’ve just set a precedent. And that means everything to me, because I don’t think public transit should be dismal; we deserve better."
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Follow him on Instagram: @Official_Seth_Chitwood. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford pedestrian bridge wins International Architecture Award
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