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BP Pedestrian Bridge

BP Pedestrian Bridge or simply BP Bridge is a pedestrian bridge crossing Columbus Drive in the Loop community area of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States that connects Millennium Park to Daley Bicentennial Plaza in Grant Park. Designed by Frank Gehry, it had a May 22, 2004, ribbon-cutting ceremony before officially opening along with the rest of Millennium Park on July 16, 2004. The girder bridge is the first bridge designed by Pritzker Prize-winner, Gehry, and was named for British Petroleum, which donated $5 million to the construction of the Park. The bridge is referred to as snakelike or serpentine in character due to its curving form. The bridge's design enables it to bear a heavy load without structural problems caused by its own weight, has won awards for its use of sheet metal and is known for its aesthetics. Additionally, it serves acoustic needs as a sound barrier and functional needs as a connecting link between Millennium Park and points east.