New approved pedestrian bridge project: implementation will depend on the transformation of the surrounding areas Business

“This bridge should become an important connection between Saltoniškės and Žvėrynas, which are growing rapidly on the right bank of the Neris, and the district of Lukiškės on the left bank of the Neris. The bridge will be built when state institutions decide to develop or more efficiently use the surrounding territories: the old campus of the University of Education on the right bank of the Neris and the plot belonging to the LRS Seimas Chancellery on the left, thus increasing the number of potential bridge users, ”said Mindaugas Pakalnis.

According to the designers, the INHUS Engineering group of companies and DO architects, at a time when a bicycle or scooter in Vilnius is increasingly used not as recreation but as a vehicle, the development of additional connections as short as possible is becoming a priority. And these solutions become especially important for remote areas of the city. “Albert Bridge” would shorten trips to the city and residents of Šeškinė, Pašilaičiai and Justiniškės.

According to the city’s chief architect, Mindaugas Pakalnis, the municipality’s efforts to rebuild and convert the old industrial districts into the city center are already evident today, seeing the renewal of the Saltoniškės district: business centers are being created here and new houses are being built. But, although it is close to the city center, the Saltoniškės district is separate from it, especially if you want to get around on foot or by bike.

“The Iron Wolf Bridge is adapted to the city’s highway, it is used by a large flow of traffic, characterized by pollution and noise that does not encourage pedestrians and cyclists to use this bridge. The chosen location of the new bridge will allow residents and employees of the Saltoniškės district to reach the city center via a quieter Saltoniškių street, this street will become an important axis of alternative mobility, which is adjacent to the old area of the University of Education on the right bank of the Neris. We hope that the pedestrian bridge project prepared by the city will also encourage its renovation, ”said M. Pakalnis.

On Saltoniškių street, pedestrian and bicycle paths are also connected, connecting the western part of the city with the city center, the western part of the Gediminas avenue. On the west side, the bridge extends the existing bike lane line, and on the east side it extends to the road junction, where it extends the pedestrian path and joins the bike lanes.

“In this way, pedestrians and cyclists no longer need to cross Geležinio Vilko str. And Narbuto st. Ring, their traffic conditions become more comfortable, safer,” commented the city’s chief architect. On the left bank of the river , the bridge leads to an area of ​​the Seimas Chancellery, currently undeveloped, another territory whose use plans could become the reason for the execution of the bridge project.

More comfortable, fast and secure connection

The designers (Justas Petkevičius project manager, Algimantas Neniškis architects, Andrė Baldišiūtė, Gilma Teodora Gylytė, Sabina Daugėlienė, Ignas Uogintas) designed a 109 m long and 13 m wide bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. The arched wooden bridge of minimalist architectural expression appears to consist of two interlocking elements, connecting the banks at four points: the lower and upper bunk terraces. This design naturally adapts to the current terrain of the Neris embankments and ensures maximum comfortable movement of people: it allows smooth access to the upper and lower terraces of the Neris embankment, according to a press release.

To facilitate access for cyclists, people with reduced mobility and families with strollers at different levels, an existing lane will be adapted to the lower embankment on the right bank of the river, and a new lane will be enabled that will connect the upper embankment with the lower one on the left bank next to the bridge.

Glued timber timber constructions create a decorative facade, which can be seen not only from other perspectives, but also from the lower deck of the pier; the architects chose this material taking into account the architectural character of Žvėrynas.

The bridge supports are made of monolithic reinforced concrete, supported on drilled piles. The reinforced concrete support part of the arched structure will be installed above to protect the wooden structure and the metal support parts from direct impact during the glacier. Bridge solutions also evaluate the possibilities for safe navigation on the river. The lower height of the bridge structures in the street area is estimated to be sufficient for safe navigation on the Neris River.