NIGEL'S RAMBLES: Three bridges by Calatrava in Reggio Emilia

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Three bridges by Calatrava in Reggio Emilia

The weather here has been awful of late. But I decided to take advantage of the weather conditions to take some “different” photographs of the three bridges we have here in Reggio Emilia designed by Calatrava.

Bridge by Calatrava, Reggio Emilia

These rather beautiful bridges have been built in a rather unattractive area of Reggio Emilia. They are in the industrial area of the town and they span the A1 Autostrada and the high speed railway line. So I decided to photograph them in the dark to hide the grim surroundings.

Bridge by Calatrava, Reggio Emilia

The horrible cloudy weather we are having gives some rather interesting effects at night.

The main bridge is built in steel and has a span of 220 metres with a box girder deck supported centrally by 50 pairs of wire cables hanging from a 50 metre high arch. The bridge deck is 27 meters wide. 4000 tons of steelwork was used in the construction. Like all cable supported bridges it is quite bouncy when heavy traffic passes over it or when it is hit by the movement of air when a high speed train passes underneath.

Bridge by Calatrava, Reggio Emilia

The two identical bridges at either end of the main bridge are also cables stayed bridges with the cables arranged in such a way as to give curious visual effects as one moves around them. Each has a span of 179 metres with a bridge deck 17 metres wide – The tower that supports the bridge deck is 70 metres high with 26 pairs of cables giving a hyperbolic effect.