The High Line – Moynihan Connector—designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Field Operations and led by Empire State Development, Brookfield Properties, and Friends of the High Line—is part of a long-standing vision to create safer, more enjoyable pedestrian access, transit connections, and seamlessly link public open spaces in Manhattan. The Connector has created an elevated and accessible passage between Moynihan Train Hall, Brookfield’s Manhattan West, and the historic High Line structure.
Composed of two bridges, each with their own architectural expression and experience yet aesthetically united by a warm material palette, the Connector offers an inviting space protected from Lincoln Tunnel traffic below. The Timber Bridge, a glulam truss with less embodied carbon than a steel structure, is made from sustainably sourced Alaskan yellow cedar and requires minimal connections to the ground, allowing existing roads to remain undisturbed. The 260-foot-long bridge recalls the state’s historic Warren truss bridges while bringing forward an iconic and contemporary expression with its scale, proportion, and modern detailing.
Connecting with the High Line Spur, the 340-foot-long Woodland Bridge extends its immersive landscapes with deep and continuous soil beds, supported by architecturally exposed weathered columns and angled bracket arms. The open joint walkway is suspended above the planting beds and collects rainwater for a lush landscape for birds and native pollinators. The layered planting approach inspired by an Eastern Deciduous Forest is catered to New York’s seasons, providing a varied experience for visitors throughout the year. It features native and adapted species that were selected based on sun exposure, wind tolerance, and urban conditions on the High Line. The Connector provides pedestrians with shade, insulation from noise and wind, and an episodic urban journey through a dynamic landscape, one that doubles as connective infrastructure for New Yorkers and visitors alike.