Four Footbridges on the Eibar-Maltzaga Cycle Path

Abstract

<p>The cycle path from Eibar to Maltzaga runs through a very complex area as the N634 road and a railway line run parallel to the river Ego and at the same level as the cycle path. Also at a considerable height is the AP-8 motorway, which was also built over the river. The new cycle and pedestrian path has to cross the river Ego three times under the motorway. Two of the footbridges are structures of moderate span (16.50 and 30.35 m) while the third footbridge has a span of about 80m, The fourth footbridge crosses the river Deva with a single span in a somewhat clearer area. The two short-span footbridges are structurally very straightforward. The deck is simply supported by two longitudinal weathering steel girders. The two structures with the largest spans are also simply supported. Their structural concept is a "lightened" beam and not an arch as might be inferred from their image. Its proportions are those of a variable depth beam with a maximum value at the centre of the span. The four footbridges as a whole respond to the initial idea of cost-effective and low- maintenance construction, taking into account the complexity of the location and the desire to make the work visually pleasing.</p>