DESIGN / A BRIDGE SO FAR

No Cars Allowed.

FINNISH BRIDGE FINISHED 

GUEST BLOG / By Starr Charles, dezeen magazine--The Kruunuvuori Bridge – the longest bridge in Finland, and one of the world's longest bridges designed solely for public transport, pedestrians and cyclists – has opened in Helsinki. 

Designed by engineering firm WSP and London studio Knight Architects, the Kruunuvuori Bridge stretches 1191 metres to link the waterside residential area of Kruunuvuorenranta with the nearby Nihti area via Korkeasaari island. Its winding steel and concrete structure features a cable-stayed section centred by a 135-metre-tall pylon that can be illuminated at night and double as a "new city landmark". 

The Kruunuvuori Bridge is 1191 metres long 

Two 260-metre-long spans stretch out on either side of the pylon, while the main bridge sits atop concrete abutments and is connected to approach bridges at each end. According to WSP, the bridge was designed with a strong user focus to meet the specific needs of pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users. The car-free structure includes specific walkways and cycle lanes for users, and will offer a new tram connection from 2027. 

"The bridge was designed with a strong user focus, both in terms of visual appearance and usability," the studio said. 

"The horizontal curvature of the bridge is not only structurally driven, but also enhances the user experience, as walking along a curved bridge allows users to better perceive their destination," it added. WSP and Knight Architects looked to create a "light and airy structure" to minimise its impact on the surrounding landscape. This approach extended to the integrated bridge lighting, which was designed to minimise light pollution. 

 

The bridge caters exclusively to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users. 
Photo by Markus Lintu 

"The design prioritised minimising light pollution, controlling glare and precisely directing light onto walking and cycling surfaces, ensuring safety at night without excessive brightness in distant views," the studio said. "The aim was to create a light and airy structure over one kilometre in length, minimising its impact on the surrounding landscape."