Salford Meadows Bridge

Salford, Great Britain

Architects: Atelier Zündel Cristea

Location: Salford, Great Britain
Year: 2013

The scope of this project is to provide a new crossing for pedestrians, over the River Irwell from the A6, to The Meadow on the North of the river. It will help to unlock the vast development potential of a major corridor linking Salford and Manchester. The plan is a symmetrical Y, composed of three folded platforms, one being The Bridge. The other two platforms are ramps and terraces that extend along the river, wrap the landscape sculpture and lead people to the existing boardwalk. The entire structure is folding such as to absorb the four meters of difference in level between the two sides of The Irwell River. The superposed platforms allow a soft landing on the shore of Meadows. We see the project as a first element of a future development of The Meadows. It will become a versatile element, a space for contemplation and entertainment, a promenade and a landmark. The Bridge should be an attraction; it can host sports and cultural events. It can encourage exchanges and communication between people and become a true playground. The structural scheme is a Steel Box Girder supported by a single pillar, over a span of 57m. The Bridge beam will be anchored to the concrete pillar, and blocked on the opposite side. Steel Box Girder construction allows considerable freedom in the geometry of The Bridge and an easy maintenance. The dynamic effects will be reduced by folding the deck.