The Bridge Plaza is a newly completed pedestrian and cyclist bridge that connects Kaunas’ Old City Centre with the iconic Nemunas Island Park. The project is part of a broader master plan that extends to the industrial areas on the left bank in Aleksotas and the lower Freda districts, which also includes future developments such as a larger pedestrian bridge, the National Science and Innovation Centre, and the M.K. Čiurlionis Concert Hall.

Seamlessly integrated into the historic city and surrounding landscape, the pedestrian and cyclist bridge enhances connectivity while creating an inviting plaza with its elegant, curved arches. The bridge spans the Nemunas Canal, and its two landing points are key elements in its overall design.

The Bridge Plaza is not merely infrastructure connecting the two banks; it is a structure deeply integrated into its surroundings. While it connects the urban fabric, it also serves as a public space at the entrance to the park, merging the built environment with the natural landscape. The bridge provides a charming space where visitors can relax and interact by the water.

The design reinforces the historic layout of the radial intersection, where flows from the 15th-century Old Town streets and 19th-century New Town promenades converge. The new intervention leads visitors from this historic point to the green expanse of Nemunas Island Park.

A curving façade of an iconic modernist building from the interwar period (20th century) is revealed as a centrepiece and landmark of the newly formed plaza. The project extends the footprint of King Mindaugas Avenue, creating a generous open plaza—a public gateway inviting people to explore Island Park and the future developments planned for the area. As the bridge narrows toward the middle, it gently leads visitors into the city’s natural environment, where the bridge’s structural footprint is minimised to respect the authenticity of Nemunas Island and its untouched natural features.

The bridge measures 75 metres in length and 57 metres in width, with a 7-metre-wide path that accommodates a mix of cyclists and pedestrians. The main structure is made of reinforced concrete, while the walkways are coated with an epoxy base and topped with micro granite gravel, combined with dark granite stone slabs. The woven railing system, designed for durability, consists of galvanised metal poles, anodised aluminium armrests, and stainless steel finishing details. Integrated railing lights further enhance the bridge’s functionality and aesthetic.

The Bridge Plaza is a hybrid structure, functioning both as a bridge linking areas divided by the canal and as a public space where people can engage with both the city and its natural surroundings. It serves as a junction and a place where visitors can experience the synergy between urban life and nearby nature.