Concept
The idea of the Uzvingio Island Bridge derives from the archival research of urban, environmental and historical material of the surrounding areas. The competition proposal reflects the functional needs of the current layout while offering a new identity, responding to the historical features of the place.

The project restores the historic island of Uzvingis as an additional public space – a park that expands the green areas of the city. The bridge and the park will create a connection and complex of public spaces, which will enrich the expansion of the city centre towards the Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre Litexpo.

Site
The project has adopted a harmonious and sustainable approach to the environment – the bridge is narrow at both its ends, giving it minimal appearance on the green shores of the Neris River, and it creates the shortest route between the banks. The positioning of the bridge preserves and takes advantage of natural features of the geomorphological natural character of the riverside landscape.

Public Space
Uzvingio Island Bridge and the park are formed together as an integral public space. The most distinctive feature of the bridge is the division and arrangement of pedestrian and cyclist pathways. Both pathways split creating a light opening towards the river at the front entrance facade and have different functional elements, such as a sitting terrace for pedestrians in the middle of the bridge and a viewpoint terrace for cyclists. The pedestrian terrace has an ergonomic bench which is also a safety barrier between the two pathways. The bench is designed in the form of a sculptural object to sit or lie down and enjoy the panorama of the Neris River.

Engineering
The challenging environmental and survey conditions were a starting point in finding engineering solutions for the structure of the bridge and its foundations.

The engineering concept is expressed by installing an orthotropic multi-layered steel beam overlay with incline struts transmitting only vertical loads to bridge supports, where the main beam construction will be made of an orthotropic steel cross section.

The scale of the bridge allows the installation of technical access inside the structure, which will assist in maintaining the quality of the main beam during construction and its operation.