A $22.6 million pedestrian bridge across the Scioto River in Dublin is about to open. The bridge is the first single-tower S-shaped suspension bridge in the world.

Bridge Park in Dublin is finally getting its bridge.

On Wednesday, Dublin officials will showcase the 760-foot-long structure in anticipation of its March 13 opening.

Three years in the making, the $22.6 million bridge connects Dublin’s Historic District on the west bank of the Scioto River to the Bridge Park development on the east.

The bridge is more than a mere connector. It provides a sculptural landmark to the city, forming an "S" across the Scioto and rising to a single tower 169 feet high.

It is the largest single-tower S-shaped suspension bridge in the world, said Paul Endres, the principal of Endrestudio, the Chicago-based architecture and engineering firm that designed the bridge.

"This is quite a unique bridge," said Endres, whose firm will attend the March 13 opening. "This is a highlight not only for the firm, but it is a very iconic pedestrian bridge and will be known nationally for its design."

Endres said the S design was chosen to connect Rock Cress Parkway on the west and Bridge Park Avenue on the east, which are not directly across the river from each other. But the curve also reflects the bridge’s natural setting.

"The S fit perfectly for the site," he said. "I think it’s very elegant and can serve as a model for others, but it’s also unique to the site and characterizes the setting."

The bridge, 14 feet wide, will accommodate walkers and bicyclists. On both sides, the bridge empties into Riverside Crossing Park. While the bridge is finished, the completion of the park is at least two years away.

On the east side of the river, the park will feature upper and lower terraces, a pavilion, a seating area and a boulder area for play. The upper part of the park is scheduled to be finished late this year while the rest of the park will be finished by 2022.

The west side of the park will feature a large plaza.

In addition to being designed by Endrestudio, the bridge was engineered by T.Y.Lin International and built by the Columbus firm Kokosing Construction Co.

"I think it’s really evocative," Endres said of the bridge. "It’s something appropriate to the natural setting and completely modern."

jweiker@dispatch.com

@JimWeiker