Scale Lane Bridge in Hull, England​
Scale Lane Bridge spans the river between Hull's Old Town and the as-yet undeveloped industrial land on the east bank, creating a pedestrian route between the city's museums and aquarium.
HULL (UK) - While rivers were often a key reason for the foundation of towns and cities, the decline of river trade can make a river become a dividing rather than a uniting feature. But new bridges across rivers, particularly those for walkers and cyclists, have often become key players in the process of the renewal of cities. Perhaps the most striking of such bridges is Wilkinson and Eyre's Millennium Bridge in Gateshead. But a new bridge in Hull – like the Gateshead bridge, both a striking object in itself and a new route – may also have a big impact
Designed by McDowell+Benedetti, with Alan Baxter Associates as structural consultants, the bridge connects the developed west side of the River Hull to the lesser developed east side. Approaching from the west down Scale Lane, a new series of stepped gardens (designed by Grontmij) lead to a public square at the river's edge. From here, either a short flight of steps or a sloping walkway, both wrapping around the bridge's pivoting hub, take you up to the deck of the bridge. The slight arch of the bridge's 35-metre cantilevered steel arm allows small boats to pass underneath, but for larger craft the entire span can swing round completely.
The movement is so gentle that pedestrians can not only remain on the bridge while it swings but also step on and off (at its west end). The impending movement of the bridge is announced by a sequence of the sound and light work installed as part of the bridge by artist Nayan Kulkarni. The structural spine of the black steel bridge provides south-facing seating for people to enjoy being on the crossing, and the bridge's pivoting hub will one day house a restaurant.
