Ypsilon pedestrian and cycling bridge, Drammen

The municipality of Drammen, which occupies a central position south-west of Oslo, has in the last few years put a great deal of work into developing and upgrading their urban environment, with dynamic results. Geographically, the centre of Drammen is divided in two, with the urban districts of Bragernes and Strømsø on either bank of the beautiful Drammenselva river.

A new bridge has become an important visual element linking the pedestrian routes on either side. The main principle of the design was to integrate the bridge into the river landscape and limit the impact on the surrounding environment.

The Bragernes bank is a popular place from which to view the river and the town. The Y-shaped plan of the bridge, which splits into two arms as it reaches the shore, has preserved the small inlet on this bank as a landscape space. The Y-shape also provides extra length and height to the span, providing a free navigable height under the bridge of 6 x 15 metres, and giving a user-friendly gradient that satisfies the requirements of universal design.

The bridge has a main span of 90 metres with a 4-metre wide steel deck, and two 45-metre side spans, each with a 3-metre steel deck. It is entirely supported by cables attached to two 47-metre towers. The towers and the double side spans provide good lateral stiffness and stability. All the steel parts are painted white and the deck is paved with crushed white granite embedded in resin.

The steel structure was produced by a steelworks in Sandnessjøen and transported down the coast by sea. The construction was carried out by free extension of the elements of the main span in 10-metre lengths towards the anchor on the Strømsø side.