Project
Beautiful bicycle bridge connects historic Copenhagen
Designed for cyclists and pedestrians only, Lille Langebro supports the positive development in Copenhagen as a city for cyclists. Photo: NIRAS
A new bridge for bicyclists and pedestrians brings the historical parts of Copenhagen closer together. NIRAS has designed the beautiful bridge, called Lille Langebro, which will have up to 10,500 users daily.
August 26, 2019
- SDG: #11
- SECTORS: Infrastructure
- COUNTRIES: Denmark
- DONOR: BuroHappold Engineering, WilkinsonEyre Architects, Urban Agency Aps, Eadon Consulting Ltd., Speirs + Major LLP
- CLIENT: Copenhagen City
Bridges create life. This is common knowledge in Copenhagen, where several bridges have been built over canals and in the inner harbor the last couple of years.
Another beautiful bridge has now been inaugurated, which reliefs the heavily trafficked Langebro and connects historic parts of the old city.
Ambitions for the project are to create a wider variety for active city life and recreation for the residents of Copenhagen and to establish another essential connection across the water. It is part of Copenhagen’s ambition of becoming a green and sustainable city where cyclists are thriving.
The turning bridge is a gift from Realdania and designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects. It is estimated that the new bridge will get 6,000 – 10,500 users on a daily base.
NIRAS has participated in the preparation phase of the bridge, which has two compartments that open allowing ships to pass by. The bridge is 5.4 meter high and 20 meters long.
The biggest challenge was to adapt the construction of the bridge to a city area with many historical buildings.
Many historical buildings
The biggest challenge was to adapt the construction of the bridge to a city area with many historical buildings. Another technical challenge for NIRAS’ engineers was to optimize the opening mechanism of the bridge in such a way, as to limit future maintenance costs for its owner, the municipality of Copenhagen.
In the design phase, NIRAS used 3D and had the model statically verified in the FEM-program LUSAS. NIRAS was responsible for the contact with authorities, including the port authorities, cable owners and the municipality of Copenhagen.
Besides the designing of the bridge, NIRAS was also responsible for preparing the tender materials for the assignment. The bridge was officially inaugurated on August 14th 2019.
- The new bridge is to relief Langebro, which is used by approximately 35,000 cyclists on weekdays.
- Between 6,000 and 10,500 users are expected on a daily base.
- Copenhagen has approximately 359 km of bicycle lanes.
- There are 650,000 bicycles in Copenhagen.
- 1.27 million km is cycled in Copenhagen on a daily base.
Source: Realdania and municipality of Copenhagen.
Large team behind new bridge
- Realdania was responsible for the building of the bridge. The municipality of Copenhagen will oversee the bridge’s daily operations and its maintenance.
- Other partners in the project besides NIRAS were: BuroHappold Engineering, WilkinsonEyre Architects, Urban Agency Aps, Eadon Consulting Ltd., Speirs + Major LLP
- NIRAS was responsible for, amongst others, assisting project management, geo technique, foundation and support systems of the bridge, traffic coordination during the built, tender materials, contact with authorities, working environment coordination, noise and vibrations as well as cable placement.
Get in touch
