A new crossing over the river has been long sought after in this historical city to limit vehicle traffic over a medieval multiple-span-arch-stone bridge.
The new bridge, located 1 km downstream from the old bridge, is a continuous 14,7 m wide box section girder with variable depth. Its total length is 424,5 m, with three 92 m long spans over the river and two side spans of 70 m and 40 m on the right riverbank.
The orthodox arrangement of customary box section girder bridges was modified in this bridge in two ways with the aim to provide it with a more careful and attractive appearance and place it in a relation with the medieval bridge forms: Girder depth over supports was dramatically increased to 10 m (1/10L) giving it an arch-looking design, while circular openings were made over supports resembling the relieving arches of the stone bridge.
Construction was carried out by balanced cantilevers.
On the left riverbank, a roundabout connection was to be placed very close to the riverbed to connect the bridge with road network. In order to avoid a massive and obstructive solution over embankments, the roundabout is placed partially over circular decks connected to the main bridge, creating an attractive space underneath, crossed by the pedestrian walk that runs parallel to the river.
White structural concrete was used in all visible elements.
