January 5, 2004

Click above image for larger view

Richard Rogers Partnership has won an architecture competition to design a new pedestrian bridge across the River Clyde in Glasgow, Scotland. The winning scheme, called "Neptune's Way," will connect Tradeston, a redevelopment area, with the financial district of Broomielaw. The $69 million undertaking is scheduled to begin construction in August 2005. Richard Rogers Partnership, who partnered with Atkins for the competition, beat-out five rival teams to secure the commission, including Lifschutz Davidson, Arup with Foster and Partners, gm+ad architects, Future Systems with Mckeown Alexander Architects, and Studio Bernardski.
“Neptune’s Way is clearly a piece of 21st Century architecture,” says Charlie Gordon, competition chairman. “The new bridge will be a destination in its own right rather than simply the quickest way to cross the river.”
 Plans call for a cable-stayed compression-arch bridge that sweeps across the river in an elliptical crescent. The continuous curve and gradual ramp of the structure allows common access for all users while the deck alignment creates a variety of views. Additionally, there will be two new landscaped parks at either end of the bridge with public pontoons for river taxis at the North bank and a new nightclub at the South bank. The project is slated for completion in 2007.

By Tony Illia

ADVERTISEMENT