Bridge over the River Cam

Ramboll Whitbybird recently delivered Cambridge’s Riverside bridge, the first to cross the River Cam since the Elizabeth Way bridge opened in 1971.

It physically divides the deck in two to providing a cycleway rising on the highpoint and a pedestrian route that levels out. The pedestrian path is formed in lightweight perforated aluminium planks supported on cantilevered steel arms, while the cycleway is a resin-bonded gravel surface on a structural steel box deck.

With a total bridge length of 200m, the design includes two rest pods situated along the parkside Chesterton ramp, which connects to the access ramp and provides information and seating.

The main materials used in the construction of the bridge were selected for durability and low maintenance and are recyclable.

Cambridgeshire County Council project manager Mike Davies said: ‘We really believe that the striking modern design of the bridge gets the right balance of respecting the existing surroundings whilst providing a high quality, innovative and attractive structure.’