IN SHORT
The growth and expansion of the city of Murcia have created the need for new connections between the Segura River banks and the city as well as the upgrading of existing bridges. Calatrava was approached to design two closely related bridge projects; a new footbridge across the Segura River and the expansion of an existing hospital bridge located some 300 meters (984 feet) upriver. The hospital bridge project envisions doubling the width of the existing bridge to relieve the traffic bottleneck.
The proposed solution consists of two additional new roadways to be built on either side of the curent structure. Each of the new roadway is to have a slanting steel arch, which rests on white concrete piers situated at either end of the bridge and rises to a maximum height of 11.2 meters (36.75 feet) at its central point. Each arch is designed as a tubular structure of steel plates, which are connected by means of an additional system of tautened cables to the side of the box girder. The decks are 53.5 meters long (175.5 feet) and measure 12.2 meters (40 feet) in total width. The symmetrical placement of the new roadways provides a striking visual framework for the old bridge, while making the structure, as a whole, into an attractive public space.
Located downriver from the hospital bridge is the new Jorge Manrique Footbridge. Creating a pedestrian crossing over the Segura River and link two densely populated neighborhoods. The footbridge joins the Avda. Infante D. Juan Manuel to the continuation of Jorge Manrique Street. With its light structure and technical elegance, the footbridge is designed to form an harmonious ensemble with the expanded Hospital Bridge. A deck of fixed glass panels with stainless steel edging is suspended by cables from a slender tubular steel arch, which measures .355 meters (1.16 feet) in diameter and rises to a height of 9.7 meters (32 feet). The arch follows the length of the symmetrical axis and is supported by two piers, situated at either end of the bridge. The total length of the bridge is 56.4 meters (185 feet). The width of the deck varies between 6 meters and 10.5 meters (19.7 feet and 34.5 feet).
YEAR
1993 - 1999
ADDRESS
Hospital Quirón Murcia
30011 Murcia