Baakenhafen Bridge

The slender steel construction was the result of a competition sponsored by HafenCity Hamburg GmbH that gmp won in 2013 in a consortium with the structural engineers from Knippers Helbig, Stuttgart. Along with the large road bridge to the west, the new crossing over the Baakenhafen is the second link between the development to the north and the southern peninsula. The pedestrian and cycle bridge shortens distances in the new Baakenhafen quarter by linking the residential buildings along the promenade with the Baakenpark designed by Atelier Loidl. The bridge also links the area at Petersenkai with the necessary service lines for gas, water, wastewater, electricity, and communication media. The material used for the traffic structure is based on characteristic port buildings for ships, on rails, and loading cranes. The seven segments of the main body were manufactured in Magdeburg from 20 to 70 millimeter thick steel sheets, shipped to Hamburg, and assembled in the preassembly area at Petersenkai. In the summer of 2017, a floating crane placed the assembled bridge – weighing a total of around 300 tons – in its final position with millimeter accuracy. The free-spanning steel construction with a span of about 65 meters consists of a trough-like beam inside of which all the service pipes are accommodated. The apex of the arched bridge was positioned slightly asymmetrically toward the quay wall to the north to maximize the open space available for passing barges. The slender lateral view is due to a folding of the steelsheet cladding. This elegant effect is further enhanced by the lattice railing consisting of inward-sloping steel bars, horizontal stainless-steel cables, and a wooden handrail.