Transportation

Breidholtsbraut footbridge

Pedestrian, Bridge, Footbridge

A new pedestrian and cycle bridge connecting two neighbourhoods in the suburb of Breidholt, Reykjavik, Iceland, was opened in the autumn of 2018. EFLA's role was the detail design of the bridge along with the design of foot- and cycle paths.

About this Project

Client
Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration, City of Reykjavík

Timespan
2018

Location
Reykjavík, Iceland

Contacts

Magnús Arason Manager | Bridges Phone: +354 412 6158 / +354 665 6158 E-mail: magnus.arason@efla.is Reykjavík
Baldvin Einarsson Civil Engineer Ph.D. Phone: +354 412 6043 / +354 665 6043 E-mail: baldvin.einarsson@efla.is Reykjavík

The project's objective

The new footbridge provides safety and ease of travel for pedestrians and cyclists across Breiðholtsbraut, a busy 4-lane main road in the suburb of Breidholt in Reykjavik. In addition to the detailed design of the bridge, EFLA's role in the project was the design of an upgrade to foot- and cycle paths and the street lighting systems. Site surveying and geotechnical investigations were also included.

The bridge is a post-tensioned concrete girder in four spans, 3-m wide and 86-m long. It was designed in collaboration between EFLA and Studio Granda Architects and has the same configuration as the footbridges at Hringbraut in Reykjavik. The curved alignment of the bridge and the shape of the underside of the concrete girder play on the landscaped surroundings. With the users best interests and comfort in mind, the bridge lands at a considerable distance away from the road.

Design and appearance

The superstructure concrete mix consists of both white cement and light-coloured aggregates in order to achieve a lighter impression.

In order to minimize inspection and maintenance costs, the end abutments of the bridge are supported through a concealed concrete hinge, allowing for thermal-included movements, eliminating the need for bearings and construction joints. The intermediate columns are concrete-filled stainless-steel tubes.

The handrail, stainless-steel tubes with a stainless-steel wire mesh between them, is also designed with minimized maintenance costs in mind and to ensure maximum visual span for the users. The design focuses on clear connections, free from clutter. The rail was embedded into the concrete deck post-casting, using a carefully planned core drilling procedure. EFLA was also responsible for construction management, which went well.

Breiðholtsbraut - Reykjavík - Footbridge

Environmental issues

The superstructure of the bridge is made of post-tensioned concrete. Post-tensioned structures are among the leanest concrete structures that are practically available, so the choice of such a construction has a positive effect on the bridge appearance and at the same time minimizes the carbon footprint of the structure. The overall design of the bridge aims to minimize maintenance costs.

Post-tensioned structures remain in a compressive state, so that ingress of deteriorating contaminants is inhibited
Design without bearings and construction joints minimizes maintenance at the end abutments
Stainless steel as chosen for the handrail and the columns does not require repainting

Service Components

EFLA's role

Detailed design of the bridge
Design of foot- and cycle paths
Design of street lighting systems
Construction management
Site investigation

The project's long term benefits

The bridge forms an essential part of the foot- and cycleways network in this part of Reykjavík and highly improves safety and ease of travel for pedestrians and cyclists. The bridge has been extensively used since opening in the Autumn of 2018.