In the undertaken process of improving the communications between Bilbao and its metropolitan area, the tram plays an important role, which can be measured in the new connection with the other riverbank of the” Nervión”, in Leioa, providing service to the University, and minimizing the displacements between both sides.
Connecting with the existing network, the Project is developed between the metro station of Leioa, and the future Urbinaga Interchange Station. The estuary crossing in a place where the vessels has a continuous traffic, was determinant for the decision of designing a lift bridge.
The major part of the bridge has been designed as a lightened slab of prestressed-concrete, which spans rhythm is perfectly adapted to the surroundings of the bridge. There are also some composite elements where it is necessary to overpass a communication structure, as they can be built faster, reducing the traffic obstructions.
However, the most singular element of the project is the movable element, which spans 157.1m between the two towers that lift the lenticular beam, materialized by two rigid steel chords, and an almost transparent web, made with stays.
This new bridge, of an innovate typology, in its opened position turns into a tribute to the Portugalete Bridge, designed by Alberto de Palacio.
