Frame and Form

In March 1999, an avalanche of rocks destroyed the Traversina Steg I. From misfortune came a new opportunity for designers Conzett Bronzini Gartmann. After analyzing the accident, it was decided to build a new walkway 70 m away from the former location. These developments inspired a different structure but no less bold than the first.

Photo of Wilfried Dechau

The bridge is a kind of neutral structure that adapts well to any wild landscape, thanks to its transparency, it doesn't impose to the landscape but fits into nature as an organic form. We notice a symbiosis that enhances both elements; the more beautiful and impressive is the landscape, the more striking is the suspension bridge and the other way around. See eg Trift Bridge or Hardanger Bridge.

However, the new Traversina Steg II is one of those structures that seem tailor-made for is hard to imagine that could be replicated elsewhere.

Image obtained from www.traversinersteg.ch

In reality this is not a hanging bridge, but a hanging ladder descending from the north slope towards the southern side of the Viamala Gorge saving a drop of 22 m. The staircase is hung through a cable network (as if it were the hangers of a network arch) to a catenary main cable anchored on the highest points of the mountains, that are approximately at the same height.

Photo of Wilfried Dechau

Again, we must emphasize the construction side of the footbridge. The first Traversina Steg was manufactured outside of its final location and then was transported by helicopter. The new walkway has been constructed in situ, transporting the materials through a “cable crane”, which is like a cable car which enabled the transfer of materials, including concrete, from a lower place in the valley. It has also required the intervention of a team of climbers for the main wiring installation.

Photo of Wilfried Dechau

The result is a marvelous structure with its strong geometry and asymmetry that challenges the perception of balance and security for everyone that crosses the bridge. It is so bold that even the most expert structural designer should feel some relief at the end of the trip leaving behind the catwalk.

Credits

• Distance between anchor points of the catenary = 95 m
• Span of the stairway = 56 m
• Height of the stairway = 22 m
• Length of stairway = 62 m
• Radius of the stairway = 150 m
• Weight of the bridge = 26 T
• Weight of the foundations = 192 T
• Construction timing: Between May and August 2005

 Meta-information

Website of the footbridge. Contains history, description, schemes, construction process, photos, Technical Data, Book List, links, etc… All in German.

Photos of the construction of bridge at kulturraum-viamala.

Traversiner Stage II, a Structurae. Contains photos of structural details of the footbridge.

Articles happypontist (English). There is a post about the gateway itself and a post on the Wilfried book Dechau.Very interesting the feelings of the author who has visited the bridge and has lived the experience of crossing.

Here you can see some of the photos form Wilfried Dechau, as we have said, has edited a book on the footbridge.

Video of the footbridge from the north abutment.

Space dedicated to the footbridge on the web Kultur Rauma-viamala. You can find photos, news, history.