Santullano Footbridge. Oviedo. Spain. 2024.
The Santullano footbridge is a recently built cable-stayed pedestrian and cyclist structure in Oviedo, conceived as part of the urban redevelopment of the A-66 corridor and the new San Julián de los Prados boulevard. With its curved 84.5-metre deck and slender design, the bridge not only provides a safe and comfortable connection between the neighbourhoods of Ventanielles and Teatinos, but also establishes a new urban landmark at the city’s entrance, in harmony with nearby heritage elements such as the pre-Romanesque church of Santullano and the Sports Palace. The project combines urban functionality, landscape integration and a distinctive architectural character.
Structurally, the bridge features a steel box-girder deck with an orthotropic slab, supported by a 52-metre-high steel pylon and 20 stay cables arranged in a semi-fan configuration. A remarkable feature is the absence of back-stays, since stability is achieved through a carefully developed parametric design. The direct embedding of the deck into the abutments eliminates bearings and expansion joints, significantly reducing maintenance needs. The curved geometry is not only an aesthetic decision but also a functional one, as it makes it possible to overcome the vertical difference between the two neighbourhoods with gentle slopes, ensuring accessibility and user comfort.
Construction started in 2023 with local steel manufacturing, honouring Asturias’s industrial tradition, and the progressive on-site assembly of the five deck segments. After erecting the pylon and installing the cables, static and dynamic load tests confirmed the bridge’s satisfactory performance. Sustainability was also a key driver: stay cables were made with 90% recycled steel, the pavement with recycled natural rubber, and efficient lighting with minimal light pollution was implemented. Overall, the Santullano footbridge integrates technical innovation, long-term durability and environmental responsibility, consolidating itself as an emblematic infrastructure for Oviedo.
