Artistic impression of an aerial view of the Yangtze River canal. image © Santiago Calatrava LLC

Spanish/Swiss architect, structural engineer Santiago Calatrava proposes three iconic steel bridges for the Chinese city of Huashan to amplify the city's growth serving to pedestrians, cars and cyclists. These iconic structures are located in the Central Chinese Province of Hubei and constructed on city's new Yangtze River Canal, which will get a symbolic attention by city residents. The name of the bridges are Xihu, Xianbi and Lincong, will facilitate vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians between the two sides and along the banks of the rapidly developing city. 

Santiago Calatrava has been hired to design three landmark road and pedestrian bridges in the rapidly expanding Chinese city of Huashan. Huashan is situated approximately 20 kilometers east of Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province in central China. These three iconic steel bridges will span 1.5 kilometers of the new Yangtze River canal, which connects to feeder lakes of the Yangtze River. The construction of these bridges is central to the development of Huashan’s new urban center.

“Architecture is one of the art forms best able to improve and revitalize cities both artistically and functionally,” said Mr. Calatrava. “The Huashan project is a clear example of how an urban element, key to the successful growth of the city, can at the same time improve the quality of life for its citizens, thanks to an integration of all three bridges and the creation of boulevards on the banks of the canal.”

Artistic impression of Xianbi’s frontal view. image © Santiago Calatrava LLC

Calatrava's bridges are carefully integrated with the pedestrian and cyclist routes through a series of stairs and ramps providing alternative routes to key access points between the road and the promenade pathways at the canal level. These spaces also connects to a shopping boulevard on the northern bank of the Yangtze River canal and provide accessible public spaces, enhanced by unique lighting concepts and indigenous landscaping.

The Xianbi Bridge, the central bridge, is 129 meters long with an arch extending 42.3 meters high and incorporates two traffic lanes with a support structure in the center, creating a characteristic void. The westernmost Xihu Bridge is designed with a single arch and is connected via a platform of inclined corrugated cables.

Artistic impression of Xianbi’s frontal view. image © Santiago Calatrava LLC

It is 102.7 meters long and the tied arch reaches 20.4 meters. The easternmost Lincong Bridge, which has two arches inclining outwardly away from the bridge, is 118 meters long and 26.1 meters high. All three bridges have a pedestrian stairs allowing pedestrians to cross the channel directly from the lower level. The Construction of these bridges is anticipated to begin in late 2016.

Licong’s lateral view. image © Santiago Calatrava LLC

> via calatrava.com