Slender city bridge connects two main shopping streets

The Catharina Bridge caters for slow traffic and is located in the heart of the historical centre of Leiden, at the point where the Old Rhine and New Rhine converge. The bridge plays an important role in the busy shopping area that has undergone a metamorphosis. Extending the line of the new Catharinasteeg, the bridge connects the two main retail streets in Leiden.

With a total length of over 36 metres and a width of 6 metres, the bridge is supported by two v-shaped piers. They are positioned in the water in order to separate the bridge structure from the quays, which are part of a protected cityscape. That is also why the bridge is designed and detailed in such a way that views along the water are interrupted as little as possible.

A remarkable feature of the bridge is the extremely slender and flowing form of the deck. Seen from above, the slender bridge is s-shaped, its double curve ensuring a smooth connection with the street pattern and traffic flow along the street and across the water. In addition, the shape of the bridge was dictated by the maximum span, the highest possible clearance height for vessels and a comfortable slope for disabled people. The combination of these wishes resulted in the demand for the thinnest possible bridge deck, and that has been achieved with the use of Ultra-High Performance Concrete. Supports and deck were prefabricated and connected on site. The balustrade consists of steel strips with no visible connections to the deck. A specially extruded and rolled railing with LED lighting is attached to the pillars.