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Low Fold Footbridge

DP Squared partnered with Architect Gagarin Studio to deliver this 50m span bridge over the River Aire which links two new developments and provides pedestrian access to the tow path along the river. The challenge was to connect two quite different site levels while still providing clear headroom over the river to deal with projected flood levels. The final constraint was for the bridge to provide a route for services across the river, including the future district heating network. To meet all these constraints a curved box girder design was adopted. This can be achieved with a slender deck, but utilises all of the elements to provide the structural support. To assist with controlling deflections and vibrations two tuned mass dampers were incorporated in to the deck. The balustrade pattern is formed from 17 repeating sections that are spaced at varying centres to create the wave pattern. The bridge arrived from the fabricators in three sections. These were site welded to form one continuous section and then lifted in to place.