Due to increased pedestrian traffic at the border of Spain and Portugal a new footbridge was necessary, to link the municipalities of Goián and Vila Nova de Cerveira, at the point that historically constituted a river crossing between these two countries.
Degree of Freedom’s proposal, in collaboration with INOR, was a suspension bridge with a long span of 159m and three shorter approach spans. The footbridge propsed provides pedestrian and bicycle communication between the municipalities, and will connect two recreational zones located on each bank of the Miño river (O Castelinho Park and Espazo Fortaleza) creating a unique park of about 15 hectares, adding value and becoming a place of reference at both county and regional level.
The proposal consists of a 240.85m long pedestrian walkway with a continuous deck made up of four spans (24.00m + 26.45m + 159.00m + 31.40m). On the Spanish side of the Miño river, the first two spans are approach spans between the abutment and the tower, with an intermediate 6.45m high pier. On the Portuguese side, only one span is required as the abutment can be located closer to the riverbank.
The central, and longest span is a suspended type with an almost symmetrical elevation. The structural deck has a maximum width of 8.50m between the hanger anchors that support it every 10.00m. The depth is a constant 1.30m constant giving a longitudinal depth/span ratio of 1/120. The free width is 4.00 m between handrails. The deck is composite, made of a steel box girder and a top concrete slab.
Team management and bridge design in coordination with UPV and INOR.
