Pien Niehe
Europe Press Office,Amsterdam
The Dafne Schippers Bridge over the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal in Utrecht is to open to the public on Monday 3 April.
We produced the winning design of a landmark bicycle and pedestrian suspension bridge, together with NEXT Architects, Rudy Uytenhaak Architectenbureau and Bureau B+B.
The structure integrates a cycle and pedestrian bridge with a school and a public garden, forming one single cohesive design. The double land use with maximum space for greenery makes the Dafne Schippers Bridge unique, not just as a bridge but also as a place in its own right.
When cyclists make their way from the centre of Utrecht to the Leidsche Rijn district, a long bend takes them upwards through the Victor Hugo park, passing the garden on the roof of a school, and heading between the trees towards a panoramic view across the canal.
With a length of 110m the Dafne Schippers Bridge is an impressive structure. Its deck is suspended 9m above the water, the highest point stretching almost 35m above the water. At the same time, it seamlessly fits into its environment, which is defined by the existing densely built district at one side of the canal and Leidsche Rijn on the opposite bank. On the Leidsche Rijn side, one pylon forms a powerful landmark, whilst on the school side, a smaller pylon links up with a row of trees and welcomes cyclists with an open gesture.
The Dafne Schippers Bridge will save 11,000 cyclists per day a lot of travel time between Leidsche Rijn and Utrecht's city centre. The new course contributes to the urban coherence by connecting two parts of the city.
We delivered a range of services and played a key role in the collaboration between the city of Utrecht and the owner of the canal Rijkswaterstaat (part of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment).
The official opening will be executed by athlete Dafne Schippers in May.
