Architecture

The project includes a proposal for the construction of a new bridge structure and a proposal for the reconstruction and extension of the existing Cheb Bridge from 1868. The original bridge structure, modified over the years by several reconstructions, represents a key part of the overall task. It is proposed to widen this section to conveniently include automobile, bicycle and pedestrian traffic. The entire bridge surface will be unified in material and colour. The roadway will be separated by low UHPCFR barriers, the cycleway separated by a line of polished cast iron lenses. The railings will be made on UHPCFR posts, the handrail will be bronze plated, the spans will be made of atmofix rods and stainless steel cables. The bridge will be illuminated by public lighting lamps of polished stainless steel designed for this purpose. The shaped modelling of the base of the cantilevers creates a rhythmic repetition and is inspired by both traditional stonework forms and contemporary abstract sculpture, articulating the whole mass of the bridge and giving it a natural scale. In a sense, it is a contemporary kind of bossage, that is, working with the structure of large blocks of solid matter that lean against each other and together face gravity.

The new structure will be constructed as an arch bridge without central support. This will free up space under the bridge for the construction of the new track and roadway. All structures are designed in UHPCFR. The railings are made of precast segments, are solid and relatively high. The surface of the new bridge, including details, will be constructed analogous to the reconstructed bridge. The colour of the walking surface is puzzuola, the arches will be made in an etched black shade with a tightened surface. The supporting suspension rods will be painted graphite black.

Construction 

For the original bridge, the upper, modern part of the structure will be taken down, including the concrete cantilevers and backfill. A steel superstructure will be constructed on which the prefabricated UHPCFR cantilevers will be carried. The embedded steel bridge structure is based on micropiles driven by core holes through the existing stone piers. The reinforced concrete piers will be equipped with a service penetrations in the middle section to provide easy access for repairs and inspections of the bridge structure. Once seated on the support structure, monolithic coupling concrete will be placed to provide both the anchorage of the UHPFRC brackets and the coupling of the bridge deck to the steel bridge deck elements. 

The bridge structure spanning the railway line will be removed. In its place, a new arch bridge structure is proposed with the lower bridge deck serving as the arch tie. The superstructure consists of prefabricated bridge arches with a bridge girder consisting of a prestressed bridge deck. The bridge deck structure is suspended from the arches using steel bar hangers. The end cantilevers with sidewalks and bike lanes are designed with a straight-through UHPFRC structure with roughening without additional isolation, identical to the downstream original bridge. The bridge edge railings are made of thin-walled UHPFRC elements that will be anchored to the bridge structure using prefabricated connections.

Authors: Ondřej Císler, Petr Tej

Invited architectural competition: 1st place (společně s Sagasta s.r.o.)

2023