The idea for the Uzvingio Island Bridge derives from archival research on the 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 that responds 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 city’s green areas. The bridge and the park will create a connection and complex of public spaces, enriching the city’s expansion toward the Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre Litexpo.
The project has adopted a harmonious and sustainable approach to the environment. The bridge is narrow at both ends, giving it a 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 the natural geomorphological features of the riverside landscape.
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 that also serves as a safety barrier between the two pathways. The bench is designed as a sculptural object where one can sit or lie down and enjoy the panorama of the Neris River.
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 involves installing an orthotropic multi-layered steel beam overlay with inclined struts transmitting only vertical loads to the bridge supports. The main beam construction will be made of an orthotropic steel cross-section. The scale of the bridge allows for the installation of technical access inside the structure, which will assist in maintaining the quality of the main beam during construction and its operation.
