FRENCH FOOTBRIDGE CURVES WITH VIADUCT ARCHES

Belgian engineering studio Ney and Partners has created a sinuous footbridge in Albi, France, which cantilevers from a 19th-century viaduct over the River Tarn.

Made from steel, the pedestrian and bicycle bridge is straight along one side, while the other side meanders in a waving pattern between the 4.7 metre-wide arches of the brick railway viaduct. Curving to 7.5 metres at the widest points, Ney and Partners added seating to the bridge to create balcony-like spaces with views across the river.

Influenced by the geometry of the viaduct and its seven arches, the studio wanted to translate the brick structure's curved forms in elevation into curved shapes in plan.

"The footbridge geometry is closely related to that of the railway viaduct," Ney and Partners partner Matthieu Mallié explained. "A waving pattern has been introduced to the walking line of the footbridge, matching the rhythm of the viaduct's arches."

The bridge aims to provide a link between Albi town centre and the neighbourhoods across the River Tarn, with spaces that offer moments to pause and observe the surroundings.

Built in 1865, the masonry viaduct serves a railway that is still in operation. The footbridge is fixed to the viaduct with bi-articulated steel brackets, which allow for movement caused by thermal expansion.

"This dual articulation allows the footbridge to expand freely under thermal loads, while ensuring the transmission of forces originating from the footbridge, such as self-weight and pedestrian loads," said Mallié.

ALBI FOOTBRIDGE
LOCATION Albi, France
ARCHITECT Ney and Partners
PHOTOGRAPHY Vincent Boutin