Scale Lane Footbridge

Scale Lane Footbridge is an apostrophe-shaped pedestrian swing bridge in Hull, England. The bridge has a rotating mechanism, allowing it to swing open horizontally, letting vessels pass beneath on the River Hull. It was the first bridge in the world to allow pedestrians to remain on the bridge while it is in motion.

Scale Lane Footbridge

Scale Lane Bridge
Aerial view showing the "apostrophe-like" appearance of the bridge
Coordinates53.7424°N 0.3299°W / 53.7424; -0.3299
OS grid referenceTA 10248 28628
Characteristics
MaterialSteel
Total length53 m (58 yd)
No. of spans2
Load limit1,000 people
No. of lanesOne open lane
History
ArchitectMcDowell+Renato Benedetti
DesignerRenato Benedetti
Engineering design by(Structural) Alan Baxter Ltd.
Construction start2005
Construction end2013
Construction cost£7 million
Inaugurated28 June 2013
Statistics
Daily trafficPedestrians and cyclists
Location

Background

Planning for the black steel Scale Lane Footbridge began in 2005, and McDowell+Benedetti won a competition.[1][2] Alan Baxter Ltd was hired as the structural engineer on the project.[3] The bridge officially opened on 28 June 2013.[4] The bridge spans the harbour between Hull's Old Town and an industrial section of the city,[1] and was intended to connect the town centre to a planned housing development.[5] It crosses the old harbour which is connected to the River Humber.[6]

The bridge has a restaurant and other seating for bridge visitors, and cost £7 million.[5] It was the first in the world to allow people to remain on the bridge while it is opening and closing.[3]

Design
Footbridge Scale Lane Staith to Tower Street

The bridge is cantilevered[3] and it curves upwards to allow small boats to pass beneath and swings open to allow larger boats past.[1] Large gears and electric bevel gears are engaged for the opening and closing mechanism.[3] The main pivot point for the bridge is a 16 m (17 yd) hub.[7]

The bridge rotates slowly laterally, allowing pedestrians to remain on the bridge while it is rotating.[1] The design includes a barrier on the western side to prevent entry, while, on the eastern side, pedestrians can step on and off the bridge while it is in motion. The speed of the bridge opening and closing is 0.15 m (0.16 yd) per second.[3] The bridge weighs 1,000 tonnes and has a capacity of 1,000 people per crossing.[8] It is 53 m (58 yd) long and the cantilevered portion is 35 m (38 yd) long.[2]

From above, the bridge looks like an apostrophe.[1] Locals say that the bridge looks like the flipper in a pinball game.[5] Rowan Moore from The Guardian has said the bridge is designed in the style of Santiago Calatrava.[5]

The bridge allows pedestrians and cyclists, but prohibits motorised vehicles.[4]

Reception

The bridge has earned several awards and has been recognised internationally.[4] Popular Mechanics called it one of the "30 Most Impressive Bridges in the World".[9] The Economic Times included it in a list of "Engineering marvels".[10] The bridge is also featured in the book Britain's Greatest Bridges.[6]

References
  1. Fearson, Amy (5 August 2013). "Scale Lane Bridge by McDowell+Benedetti". Deesen Magazine. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  2. McFetrich, David (2019). An Encyclopaedia of British Bridges. Newburyport: Pen & Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-52675-296-3. Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  3. Schumacher, Michael (2019). New MOVE : Architecture in Motion - New Dynamic Components and Elements. Basel: Birkhäuser. p. 116. ISBN 978-3035613605. Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  4. "Scale Lane swing bridge". Hull Gov. Hull City Council. Archived from the original on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  5. Moore, Rowan (27 July 2013). "Scale Lane Bridge, Hull – review". Guardian News & Media Limited. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  6. Rogers, Joseph (2019). Britain's Greatest Bridges. [Place of publication not identified]: Amberley Publishing. ISBN 9781445684413. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  7. How super cool tech works (Second ed.). New York: DK Children. 2020. p. 86. ISBN 978-0744020298. Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  8. Mara, Felix (17 July 2013). "Civic engineering: Scale Lane Bridge by McDowell+Benedetti". Architects Journal. Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  9. Necomb, Tim (25 January 2021). "These Are the 30 Most Impressive Bridges in the World". Popular Mechanics. Archived from the original on 11 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  10. "Engineering marvels: A look at the world's most impressive bridges". The Economic Times. 4 November 2018. Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
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