Learning on the road

to good design:
Case studies
 Foreword

The road to good design One aspect of good design highlighted in the
(2018) set out our design examples is the range of other benefits that can be
vision and principles generated from multidisciplinary and multifunctional
for the strategic road design that makes the most of wider opportunities.
network. This first series Although important, road design that only solves a
of case studies help us safety or traffic problem, is not necessarily ‘good’.
better define our design Many of the case studies illustrate that functional
principles and what ‘good’ design can also be beautiful and generate other
looks like. They challenge wider benefits.
us to improve our
approach to design and I hope these case studies become a useful
the quality of the network and inspire by illustrating resource for all those involved in the planning,
what creative design can achieve. delivery and maintenance of our roads. They have
been chosen to make us think about design quality,
The examples are drawn from a wide range of wider benefits and opportunities in all aspects of
projects from around the world. Not all are road our work.
projects, but there are connections and parallels
to be reflected upon. I am proud a number of The development and publication of this first series
these are the work of the Highways Agency, the of good design case studies was recommended
predecessor to National Highways. I encourage by our Strategic Design Panel. I would like to thank
design teams to look closely at our existing network members for their continued support and advice in
when designing, as there is much to learn from and helping us improve the design quality of our roads.
build upon in terms of best practice.

Mike Wilson
Chief Highways Engineer
and Chair of the Strategic Design Panel

cover: M25 Runnymede Bridge, UK

 Design principles reflected in each case study and type of project:

Introduction Design principle Type

Environmentally sustainable

sustainable development
bypass / new road
Understandable
Safe and useful

Fits in context

Collaborative

Long-lasting

public realm
Restrained

Innovative
Thorough

public art
Inclusive

structure
The road to good design (2018) set out ten This is the first of a series of good road design case
principles of good road design to support National studies and is by no means a comprehensive piece Case study
Highways’ vision for a more inclusive, resilient and of research. It only begins to illustrate what ‘good’
A590 Newton bypass
sustainable network. With the publication of the road design looks like to help embed good design
principles in the Design Manual for Roads and into everyday practice. The examples have drawn I-70 Glenwood
Bridges (2019), they became a requirement for upon publicly available information to provide a
A354 Weymouth
design practice and scheme design. short description of each project and which key
design principles it illustrates. Not all aspects of Luminous Veil
Our ten principles are based on universal ideas every example will be directly applicable to the
of good design, but are not instructions for how strategic road network.
I-5 Freeway Park
to design a road. They are prompts for project A3 Hindhead
teams to consider the whole, rather than individual National Highways does not endorse the projects,
elements only, to realise the wider benefits of good responsible authorities, designers or contractors A82 Pulpit Rock
design. Close engagement with communities, referenced in the case studies. Although care has A4 Delft
careful assessment of context, design innovation, been taken to ensure accuracy of the information
robust decision making, and collaborative working provided, it should not be relied upon. Readers A894 Kylesku Bridge
are all vital to good design. are encouraged to confirm and seek out further A40 Northala Fields
information as required when using the examples
The following 25 examples of good design illustrate as precedents. A2 Chiasso
the role of creative design in unlocking the wider
Craigieburn bypass
benefits and opportunities associated with roads in The examples have been selected to inspire and
the UK and beyond. Although none of the examples illustrate what may be possible through good M5 Gloucester Services
were designed with our principles in mind, they design. Collectively they demonstrate the value
Millau Viaduct
have been selected as they reflect one or more of of good design to people, the environment and
our principles in practice and they represent a wide economy on a number of levels. Design teams Mersey Gateway
range of projects at various scales. are encouraged to make use of these examples Madrid Rio
and to find others to support the planning and
development of their own project. Lusail Expressway

Oresund Link

Cycle Limburg

M25 Runnymede

A21 Lamberhurst

Ely southern bypass

Gates of Light

Hovenring

A650 Bingley

4
A590 High & Low Newton Bypass, UK

Facts
Location ���������������� Cumbria, UK
Length ������������������ 4km dual carriageway
Client ������������������� Highways Agency (now National Highways)
Designer ���������������� Pell Frischmann (designer), Laing O’Rourke (contractor)
Year completed ���������� 2008

Description
A mix of single and dual carriageways, the A590 specialist contractor and help integrate the scheme
links the M6 motorway to Barrow-in-Furness in into the Cumbrian landscape.
Cumbria and is a main route for tourists in South
Lakeland. The scheme was designed to bypass the Waste was minimised throughout construction
villages of High Newton, Low Newton and Ayside by reusing existing materials where possible,
primarily to improve safety and environmental including road planeings, walling stones, gate
conditions, and is located entirely within the Lake posts, topsoil and subsoil. Imported materials were
District National Park. also sourced locally where possible, including from
1
local demolition sites. The use of locally sourced
The bypass comprises 4km of dual carriageway materials benefited the local economy, minimised
with five bridge structures and two grade-separated disruption and reduced miles travelled.
junctions. Four underbridges are clad in local
stone where they are viewed up close, while a The bypass was awarded a CEEQUAL rating
single simple overbridge retains its concrete finish of ‘excellent’ for its approach to sustainability,
and is viewed at speed from the bypass only. resource efficiency and minimising environmental
The absence of a central pier on the overbridge and social impacts.
maintains views of the wider landscape for drivers,
while the underbridges are narrow, reflecting the
character of the adjacent country lanes.
Environmental works include the sympathetic
grading of earthwork slopes, earthwork bunds
Design principles
to form false cuttings to visually screen the road,
conversion of a former pig sty into a ‘bat hotel’ • Fits in context
to replace roost sites lost with demolition of an 2
adjacent property, a ‘bat bridge’ to guide bats • Restrained
across a cutting, and badger and otter tunnels. • Environmentally sustainable
Dry stone walls are a defining characteristic of the • Thorough
Lake District and some 8km of dry stone wall was
built with the bypass. The design and construction
of the walls using local stone was undertaken by a

Images 1. A ribbon, not a scar: Dry stone walls help integrate the scheme into the Cumbrian landscape. A soft central reserve with a wire
rope safety barrier also helps reduce visual impact. 2. Stone age: Underbridges are clad in local stone in keeping with the context.
3. A room for the day: A former pigsty converted into a ‘bat hotel’ provides a new home for displaced bats. 4. Milestone: A retained
historic stone marker maintains a link to the past and conserves local character.

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I-70 Glenwood Canyon, USA

Facts
Location ���������������� Interstate 70, Glenwood Canyon, Colorado, USA
Length ������������������ 20km motorway
Authority ���������������� Colorado Department of Transportation
Designer ���������������� Gruen Associates (landscape architects)
Year completed ���������� 1992 (all sections)

Description
When the Colorado Department of Transportation The project received more than thirty awards for
began exploring the expansion of the I-70 Mountain innovative design and environmental sensitivity,
Corridor to complete the national interstate system, including an Outstanding Civil Engineering
the original proposals included blasting cliff Achievement Award (American Society of Civil
faces, constructing extensive retaining walls and Engineers 1993) and the Presidential Design Award
channelling the Colorado River in this highly sensitive (2000) as “a model for the design and construction
location. However, they soon discovered a majority of interstate highways in valued natural landscapes.”
of stakeholders were firmly opposed to the plan. 1 2
Following direct public involvement through a citizen’s
advisory committee and a technical review group, a
new proposal was brought forward in 1978 by Gruen
Associates that preserved the natural topography
of the extremely narrow canyon and maintained the
integrity of the Colorado River and its tributaries.
Today eastbound and westbound carriageways
often diverge, stepped on viaduct above the other
or in tunnel, preserving the canyon floor, walls,
vegetation and river where possible and affording
dramatic views to drivers. Forty bridges and viaducts
(totalling 10.5km), three tunnels and a 50mph
Design principles
speed limit minimise impact on the surrounding
environment and allow fauna access to the river. The • Inclusive
1.2km tunnel at Hanging Lake protects this popular 3
scenic area from noise and visual impact, as well • Fits in context
as housing a control centre and maintenance area • Restrained
within the mountain. Other features of the project • Innovative
include four rest areas, a cycle and hiking path along
the length of the canyon, and a boat launch and raft
drop allowing for the continued recreational use of
the canyon.

Images 1. View from the saddle: A cycling and hiking path runs the length of the canyon, accessible from rest areas.
2. A road runs through it: The dramatic line of the I-70 follows the course of the river through the canyon. A ramp from a rest area beneath
gives access for white water rafting. 3. View from the road: The split carriageways of the I-70 step up the canyon walls. They are not hidden
and consequently offer dramatic views for drivers. 4. Criss cross: Where necessary viaducts step over the river while minimising their
footprint. 5. Scenic bypass: The 1.2km tunnel at Hanging Lake preserves this scenic area while providing access via an adjacent rest area.
The tunnel portals are simple and unobtrusive and a maintenance area within the mountain eliminates the need for external buildings.

8
4 5
A354 Weymouth Relief Road, UK

Facts
Location ���������������� Weymouth, UK
Length ������������������ 10km single carriageway
Authority ���������������� Dorset County Council
Designer ���������������� Owen Williams (consultants), Skanska (contractor)
Year completed ���������� 2011

Description
Although proposals for a relief road date back Since opening, 30 species of butterfly have been
decades, there was an impetus to complete the recorded on these successfully developing chalk
scheme in time for the 2012 Summer Olympics, with and limestone grasslands.
the nearby Isle of Portland hosting sailing events.
The route between Weymouth and Dorchester is Dorset County Council has also taken an innovative
partly located in the Dorset Area of Outstanding approach to managing the scheme by maintaining
Natural Beauty and was contentious when chosen. low soil fertility through the collection of grass
It bypasses the communities of Broadway, cuttings. Combined with the use of low nutrient
soils in construction and wildflowers that restrict 1 2
Littlemoor and Upwey, and a difficult hairpin bend
on an existing road. grass growth naturally, the road verges require
less cutting, saving money while supporting
The scheme consists of a single carriageway with biodiversity. This approach has now been adopted
occasional passing lanes and 9 bridges, including across Dorset, earning the Council a national
3 green bridges, plus complementary transport Environmental Services Award.
and environmental enhancements. Extensive new
facilities for walking, cycling and horse-riding were
built along the route, including connections to
the South West Coast Path. A new park and ride
facility and rugby pitches were also developed on
an adjacent landfill site, along with the creation of
some 200ha of green infrastructure in the Lorton
Valley Nature Park. A landmark sculpture midway Design principles
along the route, Jurassic Stones by artist Richard
Harris, was funded by Arts Council England. • Inclusive
Several chalk cuttings through the Dorset Lowlands • Fits in context
were made during the earthworks and the resultant • Environmentally sustainable
slopes and verges were seeded with local grasses • Thorough
and wildflowers to ensure they blended with the
surrounding landscape and supported biodiversity.
Very little topsoil was used to create the necessary
low-fertility growing conditions for the wildflowers.

Images 1. Flower power: The use of low nutrient soils during construction and seeding of wildflowers attracts and sustains pollinating
insects along the route. It also provides a pleasant outlook for motorists that changes with the seasons. Note use of visually unobtrusive
galvanised post and wire fencing along the route. 2. Jurassic stones: Fossil rich boulders revealed during earthworks were used to
create an artwork within a balancing pond. 3. Pedal power: Walking and cycling facilities run alongside much of the route.

10
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The Luminous Veil, Canada

Facts
Location ���������������� Prince Edward Viaduct (Bloor Street Viaduct), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Length ������������������ 0.5km
Authority ���������������� City of Toronto
Designer ���������������� Dereck Revington Studio (architects) and Yolles Partnership (engineers)
Year completed ���������� barrier 2003, lighting 2015

Description
The Prince Edward Viaduct is a historic steel arch and averted the erection of chain link fencing as a
structure completed in 1918, some 40 metres utilitarian alternative.
above the Don Valley in Toronto. Over time the
viaduct had become known locally as ‘the bridge The outcome is a beautiful structure that is
of death’, unenviably rivalling the Golden Gate functional and robust, effectively deterring access,
Bridge in San Francisco for the number of suicides and also maintains views and complements the
recorded, with some 400 deaths by the time a historic bridge. Most importantly however, the
national design competition for a barrier was structure has changed perceptions of the bridge
announced in 1998. and the place, while acknowledging the shadow of
those that have lost their lives here.
The competition winning design known as the
Luminous Veil, consists of over 9,000 stainless steel The project has won numerous architectural,
rods (or strings), 12cm apart and five metres high, engineering, lighting and mental health awards,
stretched to cantilevered galvanised steel masts recognising the successful bringing together of
attached to the balustrades of the historic bridge. structural engineering, architecture and art to
The new cantilevered structure, completed in 2003, create a project that is more than a sum of its parts.
carefully references the spacing and rhythm of the
original historic streel structure below, but does not
seek to imitate it. The barrier was originally intended 2
to be lit, but this was not completed until 2015 in
time for the Pan American Games in a second
phase of the project. A third phase to light the Design principles
whole historic structure below is planned, subject to
future funding. • Safe and useful
Lead designer Dereck Revington metaphorically • Inclusive
refers to the barrier as a painting, a musical • Understandable
instrument, an orchestra, and sought to create a • Innovative
piece of functional public art that expressed healing
and joy as well as mourning. Rising costs initially
threatened to derail the project, but private match
funding allowed the original vision to be realised

Images 1. A bridge with a view: Views to the Don Valley are maintained but physical access effectively deterred by the stainless steel
‘strings’. 2. Elegant: The new structure is both refined and dynamic in appearance. Colour changing LEDs create a different atmosphere
and meaning at night. 3. Integrated: The design of the new structure is coordinated with that of the old in terms of symmetry and rhythm.

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3
Freeway Park, USA

Facts
Location ���������������� Interstate 5, Seattle, Washington, USA
Length ������������������ 2.2ha urban park
Authority ���������������� City of Seattle
Designer ���������������� Lawrence Halprin Associates
Year completed ���������� 1976

Description
When Interstate 5 was cut through Seattle in the In keeping with the context, the Brutalist board-
1960s, it divided the city, separating the centre formed concrete walls, planters and seating,
from neighbourhoods to the east and changing create a ‘freeway vernacular’ that reflects the
the character of adjacent areas. The new urban surrounding road infrastructure. The water features
freeway was wide, loud and intrusive. Many in the and extensive planting, both of which cascade
community recognised the resulting aesthetic, over walls at times, create a contrasting natural
environmental and urban planning problems before aesthetic. To overcome the many challenges of
the I-5 was even completed. building a complex urban park over a road, a 1
variety of innovative techniques were developed
In his 1966 book Freeways, landscape architect including the use of lightweight soils and shallow
Lawrence Halprin proposed to integrate such planting beds.
new roads into the cityscape. He didn’t seek
to completely hide them, but to mitigate and The park was extended in the 1980s and its tree
complement them, and to knit neighbourhoods on canopy upgraded in 2005. Further improvement
either side back together. Soon after publication, and restoration works are planned, but Freeway
Halprin was invited to develop his new ideas in Park remains a pioneering work of modernist
Seattle with architect Angela Danadjieva. They landscape architecture and a modern design icon.
proposed a new type of urban park, where
community spaces would sit over a depressed
section of the I-5 and restore pedestrian access to
cut off neighbourhoods.
Design principles
Completed in 1976, Freeway Park is defined by
a series of irregular linked plazas enclosed by • Inclusive
planting and walls. Distinctive architectural forms,
zig-zagging pathways and fountains such as the • Understandable
‘canyon’ and the ‘cascades’, where the sound of • Fits in context
water masks the noise of traffic thundering past, • Innovative
echo both the western mountain ranges and the
city’s topography. The public spaces created are
flexible in their use, offering the opportunity for large
gatherings, as well as solitude in the heart of the city.

Images 1. Freeway vernacular: The I-5 sits in an urban canyon below and the park echoes both the topography of the cityscape and that
of the western mountain range. Clever architectural forms provide opportunities for informal seating and climbing, while traffic roars past
on the I-5 unnoticed. 2. Cascades: Brutalist concrete waterfalls define the character of the urban park and effectively mask noise from I-5.

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A3 Hindhead, UK

Facts
Location ���������������� Surrey, UK
Length ������������������ 6.5km dual carriageway with 1.8km in tunnel
Client ������������������� Highways Agency (now National Highways)
Designer ���������������� Mott MacDonald (designer), Balfour Beatty (contractor)
Year completed ���������� 2011

Description
The scheme completed the dualling of the A3 An adjacent National Trust car park was extended,
between London and Portsmouth, removing a and the visitors centre and café refurbished to cater
bottleneck at the Devil’s Punch Bowl and Hindhead. for a 20% increase in visitors after the opening of
Environmental constraints included the Surrey Hills the tunnel. A Heritage Lottery funded sculpture
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a Site co-created with local children sits on the line of
of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Both on-line the former A3 and celebrates the reunification of
and off-line at-grade options were discounted due Hindhead Common and the Devil’s Punch Bowl.
to their environmental impact. A tunnel beneath 1 2
Hindhead Common was the most expensive option, At the southern end of the scheme, the Canadian
but had wider and greater benefits for biodiversity, Memorial Underpass provides access to the two
tranquillity, tourism and recreation. halves of Bramshott Common which was historically
split by the A3. The war memorial consists of an
The scheme consists of a twin bored tunnel in avenue of maple trees and the underpass gives
addition to at-grade sections of dual carriageway access to linear and circular walks from an adjacent
with 5 underpasses, an overbridge at a new grade car park.
separated junction, and a pedestrian overbridge.
The tunnel service area to the north has a green
roof to merge it into the adjacent landscape and
parking hidden behind. To the south the tunnel
service area similarly merges into an embankment.
The tunnel portals are simple and elegant and
allow the landscape to dominate. The concrete Design principles
arch of the pedestrian bridge reflects the form and
materiality of the tunnel portals. • Safe and useful
3
Trees were cleared from existing heathland to restore • Understandable
habitat and to open-up views. The old carriageway • Collaborative
was buried in spoil from the tunnel and seeded • Long-lasting
with heather and grasses from Hindhead Common.
Further work by the National Trust to restore a mix of
upland and lowland heath and woodland habitats has
improved the condition of the SSSI to ‘favourable’.

Images 1. Light at the end of the tunnel: The design of the tunnel portals and fencing is restrained, allowing the landscape of the
hillside to take visual prominence. 2. Walk this way: The number of visitors to the area increased by 20% after the opening of the tunnel
and removal of the old A3. 3&4. Here today, gone tomorrow: The covering of the old carriageway (3) in stone from tunnelling and the
spreading of local seeds has allowed the heathland to begin to regenerate and a tranquil recreational area to be created (4).

16
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A82 Pulpit Rock, UK

Facts
Location ���������������� Loch Lomond, UK
Length ������������������ 0.5km single carriageway
Authority ���������������� Transport Scotland
Designer ���������������� Tony Gee (consultants), McLaughlin & Harvey (contractor)
Year completed ���������� 2015

Description
The A82 is one of Scotland’s most iconic scenic the structure and allows for views over the loch. A
tourist routes and is the main road from Glasgow retaining structure was discounted to preserve the
to the West of Scotland and the Highlands. At integrity of the shoreline, and the viaduct abutments
Pulpit Rock the A82 had been reduced to a are clad in local stone at either end.
single lane controlled with traffic signals due
to continued rock falls onto an already narrow Despite the very constrained nature of the site, the
carriageway around the headland. The traffic A82 remained open to traffic during the day for
signals caused significant delays, particularly the whole construction period, with only a limited
number of night closures. These night closures 1 2
during the summer.
allowed sections of the weathering steel structure to
Pulpit Rock itself is a Scheduled Monument be delivered and lifted into place.
comprised of a large rock outcrop into which a
vestry was excavated in 1825 to accommodate The scheme has won several awards including the
the parish minister while he conducted open air Saltire Society’s Award for Civil Engineering in
services. With Loch Lomond to the east and a rail recognition of its innovative approach on a difficult site.
line to the west and with no route through, there
were limited options to remove the bottleneck for
traffic around the rock.
Following close consultation with the Loch Lomond
& The Trossachs National Park, a relatively small
but complex improvement scheme involving the
Design principles
stabilisation of the existing rock faces and widening
of the existing carriageway onto a 180m long • Safe and useful
5m wide viaduct cantilevered over the loch was
developed. As required by the National Park, the • Restrained
scheme provides good views for motorists of the • Thorough
stunning and iconic landscape. • Innovative
Although dry stone walling is common on the A82 in
this section, the viaduct parapet is a bespoke steel
design which fits with the cantilevered nature of

Images: 1. Take the high road: The widened carriageway cantilevers over the shoreline, preserving Pulpit Rock and views of the loch
and wider landscape. 2. Opportunities and constraints: Night working on key elements allowed the A82 to remain open during the day
despite the constrained nature of the site. 3. Take the low road: The curve of the road still follows the shoreline. Weathering steel, stone
abutments and elegant detailing help fit the viaduct to the dramatic context.

18
3
A4 Delft – Schiedam, Netherlands

Facts
Location ���������������� Delft, Netherlands
Length ������������������ 7km motorway 1
Authority ����������������Rijkswaterstaat
Designer ���������������� Arcadis, ZJA Zwarts & Jansma Architects, Bosch Slabbers Landscape Architects
(consultants) and Boskalis, Heijmans, VolkerWessels (A4ALL contractors)
Year completed ���������� 2015

Description
The A4 motorway between Delft and Schiedam Environmental sustainability has been a primary
significantly improves access between Rotterdam focus of the project. The motorway is a ‘honey
and The Hague. The motorway transects an area of highway’, with habitat created for bees and other
outstanding natural beauty and a polder landscape pollinating insects through the planting of 44
with willow, godwit birds, sheep and ditches. regional wildflower species. Another key feature
Following many years of objections concerning of the project is the eco-aqueduct constructed
the potential for visual and noise impacts on the across the motorway to connect natural systems. 2 3
sensitive rural and urban setting, a key design With a width of 100m, it supports biodiversity and
challenge was to conceal the motorway. This was recreation alongside each other.
a difficult challenge due to the volume of traffic, the
scale of the new road and ground conditions.
The motorway has been successfully embedded
into the context through careful design and is
formed of three parts. The first part was built at
grade through a recreational area outside Delft.
The second part is recessed and transects the
cultural-historic polder landscape. This landscape
contains a bird nesting area, a green-blue bridge,
extensive recreational facilities and a complex
water management system. Design principles
For the third part of the route, the motorway is • Fits in context
entirely enclosed in a 2km land tunnel through 4
• Environmentally sustainable
an urban area of Rotterdam. The tunnel was
constructed from cement-bentonite walls with • Thorough
water resistant layers to form a container fitted with • Innovative
soundproofing at each end. Above the tunnel a new
landscaped sports park has become a valuable
community asset.

Images 1. Green – blue bridge: A combination of green and blue infrastructure crosses the A4 motorway. 2. Below the water line: Much
of the A4 is constructed below the waterline. 3. Level crossing: Local walking and cycling routes cross the busy A4. 4. Gone fishing:
Water comes right up to the A4’s retaining walls and is accessible to the public. 5. Urban parkland: As the A4 nears the city, it is covered
by parkland and sports pitches. 6. Polder landscape: The A4 is another channel in the constructed landscape, where traffic flows
instead of water.

20 Images © Arcadis
5 6
A894 Kylesku Bridge, UK

Facts
Location ���������������� Kylesku, UK
Length ������������������ 275m (bridge) plus approach roads 2
Authority ���������������� Highland Regional Council
Designer ���������������� Ove Arup (consultants) and Morrisons (contractors)
Year completed ���������� 1984

Description
The iconic Kylesku Bridge, now officially named topography while also giving its users panoramic
Drochaid a’ Chaolais Chumhaing in Gaelic, was views. The bridge deck is supported by two pairs
built to replace the short ferry crossing between of V-shaped piers located on the shores in order to
Kylesku and Kylestrome. The ferry had multiple reduce the length of the main span. There is no joint
disadvantages for road users; it was a significant between the piers and the deck, with expansion
bottleneck and only operated during daylight hours. joints and bearings located at the abutments to
As the only other alternative to crossing the loch ease maintenance.
was a 175km detour via inland roads, a bridge 1 3
provided a better long-term solution. In 2019, the bridge was classified by Historic
Environment Scotland as a Category A structure,
Curving across the deep-sea inlet of An Caolas regarded as “visually striking and technically
Cumhang on Loch a’ Chairn Bhain, the bridge innovative”. The significance of the bridge is further
successfully improved connections between reflected in its growing status as a tourist attraction
the West Highlands and the rest of Scotland, along the North Coast 500 route due to its breath-
significantly reducing travel times and stimulating taking views and use in numerous advertising
economic growth and the provision of services campaigns.
for residents and tourists. The bridge was an
economical solution that is also aesthetically
pleasing. Due to its remote, sometimes harsh,
location, it was designed and built to be durable
and relatively low maintenance.
Design principles
Immediately recognisable by its brutalist aesthetic,
curved design, V-shaped piers and spectacular • Safe and useful
landscape setting, Kylesku Bridge is one of
Scotland’s most visually striking and technically • Fits in context
innovative modern concrete structures. The • Innovative
prestressed concrete bridge deck is unusual, • Long lasting
but selected to reflect the natural contours of the
surrounding landscape and to tie into the existing
approach roads. As such, it harmonises with
the natural setting, responding to challenging

Images 1. Rugged: The brutalist concrete aesthetic contrasts yet complements the highland landscape. 2. Minimalism: The angled piers
reduce spans and minimise the depth of the deck. The small abutments also help minimise the visual impact. 3. Look at that: The curved
deck offers a panoramic view for motorists during the crossing. 4. Location, location: Spanning the shortest distance and improving the
existing roads resulted in the curved alignment.

22
4
A40 Northala Fields Park, UK

Facts
Location ���������������� A40 London, UK
Length ������������������ 18.5ha parkland
Authority ���������������� Ealing Borough Council
Designer ���������������� FoRM Associates, LDA Design
Year completed ���������� 2008

Description
Northala Fields Park lies to the east of Northholt and derelict land to a public park. The project created
directly south of the A40 Western Avenue, a main new areas of habitat using native species. Each
artery through west London into central London. mound was designed with varying soil conditions
The open space is one of the most significant park to support different planting mixes to create four
developments in London in recent decades. distinct habitats – grassland, wildflower meadows,
streams and woodland.
Northala Fields provided a highly innovative,
economic and sustainable solution to the use The design approach considered a careful balance
of materials generated by the demolition of the of enhancing biodiversity in the area, while meeting 1 2
original Wembley Stadium in 2003 and spoil from requirements to minimise any potential bird
the construction of the new stadium and White City strike hazard to aircraft from the nearby Northolt
shopping centre. This waste and spoil was used Aerodrome. Another significant feature of the
to create the new park through waste disposal design was the extensive community involvement in
charges, turning the materials into new habitats for all stages to meet local needs.
wildlife and a range of recreational facilities. The
facilities include two playgrounds, walking trails and
viewing points, a model boating lake, six fishing
lakes and three wildlife ponds. Along with a visitors’
centre, these attract both local people and visitors
from further afield to the unique development.
Four conical earth mounds help to reduce visual
Design principles
and noise intrusion from the adjacent A40 and
provide a view to a unique sculptural landmark from • Inclusive
the road. The tallest mound at 22m high provides a 3
360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding area • Environmentally sustainable
and as far as the City and Canary Wharf. Gabions • Innovative
filled with rubble are used across the site to define • Collaborative
boundaries and paths.
The wildlife value of Northala Fields has been
improved with the re-modelling of the site from

Images 1. Waste not, want not: Waste from the demolition of the old Wembley stadium was used to create a much-needed new public
park. 2. View from above: A new landscape with its distinctive forms was created adjacent to the A40 in London, funded solely through
landfill tax. 3. View from the park: A path leads up one of the mounds with views over London and the park with its areas of wetlands.
4. View from the road: The land art is appropriately scaled to be viewed at speed from the A40.

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4
A2 Chiasso, Switzerland

Facts
Location ���������������� A2 Chiasso, Switzerland
Length ������������������ 1.8KM
Authority ���������������� State of Canton Ticino
Designer ���������������� Mario Botta (architects) and Grignoli Muttoni Partners (engineers)
Year completed ���������� 2004

Description
The A2 through Chiasso previously created a The design solution did not try to hide the
significant noise issue for residents due to the large motorway, but accepted its presence and sought
number of vehicles, and in particular HGV’s, crossing to reduce the potential visual severance of the
into and from Italy. Noise barriers were needed to barriers. In addition, the modular system developed
provide relief for residents, but the urban location meant production and construction was efficient.
required a suitable architectural response. The
conceptual response was a ‘tree lined’ street, with a The project has resulted in a significant
row of steel ‘trees’ to support transparent panels. improvement to the quality of life of residents with
a reduction in noise through a design that is both 1
Chiasso itself is divided by the national border with functional and visually striking.
Italy, a rail line and the A2 motorway. By providing
noise barriers, it was vital to avoid further division.
The design of the barriers responds to the urban
character, while at the same time creates through
their transparency, a continuity between the built
area and the surrounding landscape.
The noise barriers consist of a number of different
modules depending on the location. In order to
contain the noise, the barriers extend over the
carriageway in places and horizontal elements
on the walls avoid excessive noise reflection. The
Design principles
structure on the north to south side is formed by a
roof of laminated glass panels which rest on a steel • Inclusive
lattice supported by a main tubular steel ‘trunk’ and
’branches’. With a maximum height of 8.5m and • Fits in context
regularly spaced at 10.5m, the visual effect is of • Thorough
a tree lined street, albeit at a motorway scale and • Innovative
viewed at speed. The south to north side structure,
while much simpler, consists of similar modular
elements giving the whole design an overall unity.

Images 1. Extended protection: Local residents living at height are also insulated from noise generated by adjacent access roads with a
similar family of structures. 2. Reaching for the sky: The trunk like bases of the structure have been carefully integrated into the vehicle
barrier. 3. Tree line: To reduce the noise generated by the motorway, modular steel ‘trees’ support a transparent canopy.

26
2 3
Craigieburn Bypass, Australia

Facts
Location ���������������� Melbourne, Australia
Length ������������������ 4.8 KM
Authority ���������������� Victoria
Designer ���������������� Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, Taylor Cullity Lethlean and Robert Owen
Year completed ���������� 2005

1
Description
The Craigieburn Bypass, linking the Hume a residential area and comprises patterned
Freeway to the Metropolitan Ring Road, showcases acrylic panels and repeated bright blue sculptural
Melbourne’s vibrant design culture, while saving monoliths. The patterned acrylic provides
some 30 minutes on peak hour journey times. translucency and the contrasting monoliths are
The bypass integrates art, landscape and rotated slightly to create a constantly changing
road infrastructure to create a dynamic driving driving experience. At night part of the scrim wall is
experience while reducing impacts on adjacent illuminated with 11,000 LEDs to generate patterns
communities. in response to traffic levels.
The design includes two main sets of walls to Gabions and concrete panels are also used for
provide noise attenuation and a pedestrian bridge sound attenuation, responding to the local context
on the southern section of the route, as well as and adding to the sequential and dynamic driving
establishing design parameters for other bridges, experience. The bypass won multiple awards for its
barriers and retaining structures. creative response to movement, arrival and context.
It creates a suitable northern gateway to the city
The ‘curtain wall’, appears as long sinuous earth while resolving the need to reroute the Hume
toned ribbon, fluid in its form, dynamic and Highway through expanding urban fringes.
experiential. Made from facetted steel sheets
modelled in simple concave and convex undulating
folds, it sits atop of a recessed dark concrete base.
At the climax of the curtain wall, the ribbon rises
over the road as a pedestrian bridge to create a city Design principles
gateway. Carefully sited at the point where motorists
first see Melbourne’s skyline, it frames the view in a • Safe and useful
2
welcoming gesture. Similarly, when exiting the city, • Understandable
it frames a view of the wider landscape ahead. The • Fits in context
curved bridge is complex in plan and elevation, and
its truss structure is clad with the same weathering • Innovative
steel as the wall from which it springs.
By contrast, the ‘scrim wall’ is located alongside

Images 1. Heavy metal: The earthy colours of the weathering steel footbridge across the bypass creates a local landmark and visual
gateway to Melbourne. 2. Functional art: Sculptural barriers along the route insulate residents from noise while also providing visual
interest to road users. 3. Night light: Some barriers are transformed in the evening with lighting. The function and importance of the
barriers is highlighted, not hidden. 4. Framed: The weathering steel noise barrier continues over the footbridge to frame a view of
downtown Melbourne for road users.

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3 4
M5 Gloucester Services, UK

Facts
Location ���������������� Gloucestershire, UK
Length ������������������ 25 ha
Authority ���������������� Stroud District Council
Designer ���������������� Glen Howells Architects and BWB Consulting
Year completed ���������� 2014

Description
Gloucester Services are situated on each side of reduce the demand for lighting during the day and
the M5 between Junction 11A and Junction 12 in with their green roofs, the services are an exemplar
Gloucestershire. The site is on the boundary of for the development of sustainable service areas.
the Cotswold Area of Outstanding National Beauty
(AONB). The services provide rest and refreshment, As an opportunity to create a special experience,
fuel and electric vehicle charging and extensive the services celebrate the people and produce of
landscaping, including green roofs on buildings. Gloucestershire. With thousands of people stopping
Farm shops and kitchens offering local produce and each day, local producers have been given wider
exposure for their businesses. In addition, through a 1
food, replace fast-food outlets normally associated
with such services. However, the planning of the unique partnership with the Gloucestershire Gateway
services did not come without opposition due to the Trust, the services help invest in organisations that
potential for damage to the AONB setting. bring sustainable positive change to more deprived
areas of Gloucestershire, providing jobs and
To lessen the potential impact on the AONB, supporting local regeneration schemes.
arched and sloping green roofs reflect the form of
the surrounding hills and help the buildings blend
into the wider landscape. The green roofs also
help insulate, slow storm water runoff and support
biodiversity. Attenuation ponds are provided as part
of a sustainable drainage system and also provide
a pleasant outlook for diners. Tree planting is used
throughout the sites to help screen the services, and Design principles
local seed mixes were used. Species such as yellow
rattle and birdsfoot trefoil were included in grassland • Inclusive
and on the roofs to attract and support pollinator • Fits in context
species.
• Environmentally sustainable
The award winning main buildings, designed to • Thorough
achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating, are constructed
from timber and clad in local Cotswold stone. Both
materials have a low environmental impact and
create a warm and inviting environment. Skylights

Images 1. Reflections: Attenuation ponds manage storm runoff from the building and car parks and provide a pleasant and relaxing
outlook for diners. 2. Sustainable development: The use of timber, natural light and green roofs minimises the environmental footprint
of the buildings. 3. Merging: The sloping form, green roof and local stone, helps the service area building blend into its context. The
entrance is also obvious from the car park, eliminating the need for signage.

30
2 3
A75 Millau Viaduct, France

Facts
Location ���������������� Millau, France
Length ������������������ 2.5km bridge 1 2
Authority ���������������� French Ministry of Public Works
Designer ���������������� Michel Virlogeux, Foster&Partners, Eiffage (contractor)
Year completed ���������� 2004

Description
For many years local authorities had tried to sections at deck level. This adds to the viaduct’s
solve congestion in the town of Millau, southern dramatic silhouette. There is no hiding a structure
France, which is on the main north-south route on this scale and height, but its subtle and elegant
between Paris and the Mediterranean. In the end, appearance helps it to fit into the wider landscape.
the dramatic Millau Viaduct provided the solution,
carrying the A75 safely across the 250m deep and 4.8 million vehicles pass over the viaduct annually
2.5km wide Tarn Valley and completing a missing and 1 million visitors stop each year. As planned
link in the national motorway network. through the commitment of 1% of the budget to
regional economic development, the viaduct has
Crossing one of the deepest valleys in France, brought new opportunities to Millau by improving
the viaduct pushed the boundaries of structural access and is now a popular stop off point for
engineering and construction. Engineer Michel tourists traveling to southern France and Spain. A
Virlogeux first conceived the original concept visitor centre with a viewing area enables tourists
in the 1980s, however it was initially considered to learn about the local area and the story of the
unfeasible until other options, including a tunnel, viaduct.
were dismissed. In the end following a competition,
the viaduct was constructed under budget and
months ahead of schedule.
Utilising concrete for the 7 piers and steel for
the deck and pylons, Millau Viaduct is one of the
world’s longest cable-stayed bridges at almost
2.5km and the highest at 343m. The six central
Design principles
spans are 342m each and outer two spans are
• Safe and useful
204m each. The viaduct has a 3% slope and gently 3
curves on a 20km radius. Temporary pylons were • Understandable
used to support the prefabricated deck sections • Restrained
high above the valley floor during construction • Innovative
before the cables were installed.
To accommodate the expansion and contraction of
the deck, each pier and pylon splits into two thinner

Images 1. Framed: The visitor centre tells the story of the viaduct and the local area and provides a view of the structure which has
become an attraction itself. 2. Windbreaker: 3m tall transparent screens along the length of the viaduct shield it from high winds, but also
allow for spectacular views out. 3. View from below: Taller than the Eiffel Tower, the viaduct’s piers soar above the valley. 4. Anticipation:
The cable stayed structure on the A75 motorway marches over the valley creating a dramatic landmark.

32
4
Mersey Gateway, UK

Facts
Location ���������������� Widnes/Runcorn, Cheshire, UK
Length ������������������ 2.4KM 1
Authority ���������������� Halton Borough Council
Designer ���������������� Knight Architects, Ramboll, CH2M, Mersey Link Consortium (contractor)
Year completed ���������� 2017

Description
Mersey Gateway is a significant highway providing varying views of the structure. Feature
improvement project providing a major river lighting adds to this experience at night.
crossing of the Mersey between Runcorn and
Widnes in the Liverpool City Region. The six-lane The design was selected from a range of options
crossing is the longest in England and provides an to maximise benefits for users and the local
elegantly integrated solution, acting as a catalyst for community, minimise impact on the surrounding
growth in the local borough and wider region. The environment and also to reduce future maintenance
bridge is part of a new and improved 9km link road requirements. Collaboration between designer and
constructor was exemplified in the construction of 2 3
project providing access to the motorway network; a
significant undertaking for a small local authority. the approach viaducts, which adopted a moveable
scaffold system and the use of sliding framework
Mersey Gateway Bridge is the first long span cable travellers for the balanced cantilevers of the cable-
supported concrete bridge constructed in the UK. stayed bridges deck. The award-winning bridge
It is located 1.5km upstream from the older and was completed on time and under budget and
previously heavily congested Silver Jubilee bridge provides an iconic new landmark for the region.
which will provide for local access only in the future.
The new bridge provides a vital new link for the
region by providing better and more reliable access
from Liverpool to the M56 motorway over the River
Mersey, St Helens Canal and Manchester Ship
Canal, but will also drive local regeneration and
development. Design principles
The distinctive three tower design is a unique
• Inclusive
composition for a large cable-stayed bridge, with
the two outer towers markedly taller than the central • Understandable
one. The position of all three towers provides an • Restrained
optimum span combination, minimising the footprint • Long lasting
within the environmentally sensitive estuary and
while observing a maximum height set by the
nearby Liverpool Airport. The curved approaches
to the bridge enhance the driver experience by

Images 1. Over the salt marsh: The decks of the approach viaducts and the bridge used a similar traveling form system to cast the
concrete insitu. 2. All lit up: The lower central tower creates a distinctive silhouette. The colour and brightness of the LED bridge lighting
changes. 3. Cable tidy: The cable stay bridge was designed for rapid construction and minimal maintenance. Transparent wind shielding
allows views out. 4. Cross the Mersey: The new crossing with its long approach viaducts in the foreground and the iconic arch of the
Silver Jubilee Bridge in the background during low tide.

34
4
Madrid Rio, Spain

Facts
Location ���������������� Madrid, Spain
Length ������������������ 6km linear park 2
Authority ����������������Ayuntamiento de Madrid (city council)
Designer ���������������� Burgos & Garrido Arquitectos Asociados, Porras La Casta Arquitectos and
Rubio & Álvarez-Sala (MRIO arquitectos)
Year completed ���������� 2015

Description
Madrid Rio is an urban park along a stretch of from one of traffic choked carriageways, to valued
the Manzanares River in central Madrid, Spain. It contemporary open spaces.
is a new iconic feature of the city enabled by the
tunnelling of the western stretch of the M30 ring Some 120ha of new parkland has been created
road that previously had a poor safety record, through the project. This includes new soft
severed the city from its river and created a landscape, squares, paths and promenades, new
barrier between two sides of the city. The project play areas, sports facilities and an urban beach, all
1 3
involved multiple tunnels with a total length of over supported by the restoration of the river. It included
40km to bury the M30 motorway alongside the the provision of 12 new pedestrian bridges and the
river. The construction of the tunnels was highly redesign of 6 others to make them more pedestrian
complex work modifying multiple layers of the accessible. Alongside smaller gardens within
city’s infrastructure, while providing great relief to Madrid Rio, larger parks include La Arganzuela,
residents who had lived with the urban motorway Salón de Pinos and Huerta de la Partida. These all
for many years. have helped reconnect the city’s social fabric.

The previous at-grade stretch of motorway had

removed Madrid’s connection to its river, making
it both inaccessible and invisible. Once the
motorway had been tunnelled, large open spaces
became vacant in the heart of the city providing
an opportunity to reconnect neighbourhoods and Design principles
create a renewed sense of place alongside a
rediscovered river with its ecological, cultural and • Inclusive
historic connections. 4
• Understandable
The award-winning project has successfully • Thorough
reconnected the historic city centre with its more • Collaborative
modern periphery. It has provided new open spaces
and opportunities for recreation in the heart of a
dense city. Over 33,000 trees, 40km of footways
and 30km of cycle tracks have transformed the area

Images 1. People over traffic: The M30 on both sides of the river is now accommodated in tunnels below new urban spaces. 2. Crossing
the Manzanares: Numerous bridges allow for easy access over the river. 3. Out of sight, out of mind: Traffic now flows more safely
on the M30 under the city. 4. A waterfront rediscovered: Where there were once carriageways choked with traffic, there are now
landscaped promenades. 5. Healing the city: The city has reclaimed its waterfront from highways infrastructure and traffic. 6. Child’s
play: Play areas and urban recreational trails sit above the M30 below, protected from associated noise and air pollution.

36
5 6
Lusail Expressway, Qatar

Facts
Location ���������������� Doha, Qatar
Length ������������������ 5km 2
Authority ���������������� Ashghal (public works authority)
Designer ���������������� AECOM (designer), Hyundai (contractor)
Year completed ���������� 2017

Description
The Lusail Expressway links Doha’s central A key feature, the Al Wahda Arches, serves as the
business district, West Bay and two of its most gateway to Doha’s West Bay. At 89.7m, they are the
significant residential and commercial districts tallest and most prominent architectural sculpture
– The Pearl and Lusail. It provides four lanes in in Qatar. The unique tilted and intertwined arches,
each direction and includes three complex multi- connected by a fishnet-like design referencing
level interchanges containing multiple flyovers and Qatar’s maritime roots, demonstrate an innovative
tunnels alongside two additional bridges, which combination of the past and future. Lit at night, the
cross over the West Bay Lagoon canals. arches are a landmark on the Doha skyline 1 3
Responding to the Qatar National Vision 2030 and
the needs of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Qatar
Expressway Programme is designed to improve
highway capacity, connectivity and safety to meet
the demands of regional population and economic
growth.
The Expressway’s iconic appearance is inspired by
the Qatari marine heritage, forming a combination
of Qatar’s past and future. The blue wall graphics
that line the retaining walls and tunnels are inspired
by the waves of fishermen’s nets under water and
are designed to be viewed at speed.
Design principles
The design of the project also focused on
enhancing facilities for walking and cycling. The • Safe and useful
provision of 6.5km of pedestrian and cycle paths • Understandable
lining the Expressway provides social, health and • Thorough
environmental benefits. As well as the road, path
and landscape works, the project upgraded the • Innovative
city’s storm water drainage network and additionally
the local electricity and telecommunications
networks.

Images 1. Looking forward: Doha today is a place of growth and change, redefining itself from a sleepy port to a global city in only a
matter of years. 2. Persian Gulf: Super graphics reminiscent of the area’s maritime and pearl diving past line the walls of underpasses
and tunnels. 3. Looking cool: White and blue tones provide relief from the harsh sun. 4. Time machine: As the expressway connects the
older part of the city to new neighbourhoods on the coast, it literally connects the past to the future through this gateway structure.

38
4
Øresund Link, Denmark/Sweden

Facts
Location ���������������� Øresund Strait, Denmark/Sweden
Length ������������������ 16km total link, 8km crossing 1
Authority ���������������� Vejdirektoratet (Denmark)/Vägverket (Sweden)
Designer ���������������� Arup (engineering), Hochtief, Skanska (lead contractors)
Year completed ���������� 1999

Description
The Oresund Link which connects Sweden (Malmo), the Straight, an uninhabited artificial island called
and Denmark (Copenhagen) is comprised of a 4km Peberholm connects the bridge and tunnel. The
tunnel, a 4km artificial island and an 8km cable-stayed island now hosts an abundance of flora and fauna
bridge. The Link has decreased journey time between having been allowed to develop freely. As well as
Sweden and Denmark to a ten-minute drive or train over 500 different plant species, Peberholm has
journey, promoting cross border communication and become a new breeding ground for birds in the
economic growth across the region. Oresund Straight.
For centuries, the Oresund Straight presented an The Link has created a wider cross border region 2 3
obstacle to the transport of passengers and freight with a combined population of nearly 4 million
between Sweden and Denmark. It had also been people. Due to the presence of the fixed link, it has
a psychological barrier and the difficult journey become easier to live on either side of the Straight
hindered closer relations between the two cities, and to work on the other. The short commute
regions and countries. has supported sustainable development on both
sides and cooperation on a cultural, political and
The 1991 agreement between the Danish and economic level continues to develop.
Swedish governments stated the bridge would
need to be constructed with due consideration
for “what is ecologically motivated, technically
possible and financially reasonable to prevent
any detrimental effects on the environment”. The
cable-stayed bridge is the longest road and railway
bridge in Europe and its 490m central span is the
Design principles
longest in the world to carry both road and rail
• Safe and useful
traffic. The bridge is a composite structure with a
steel truss supporting a concrete deck carrying • Innovative
four lanes of traffic above two railway tracks inside • Collaborative
the truss on a steel deck. The steel trusses were • Long lasting
prefabricated onshore in large sections.
Partly due to the proximity of Copenhagen Airport
and to allow for an unobstructed passage within

Images 1. Over and under: The transition between bridge and tunnel takes place on an artificial island in the Øresund Straight. 2.
Regional development: Linking Copenhagen in Denmark and Malmo in Sweden, the new link has transformed the local and regional
economies. 3. Dual use: A railway runs below the road deck. One piece of infrastructure, but two modes of transport efficiently
accommodated. 4. A tale of two towers: Part cable stay bridge, part viaduct and part tunnel via an artificial island, the link required
collaboration not only between two nations and cities, but also two road and rail authorities.

40
4
Limburg, Belgium

Facts
Location ���������������� Flanders, Belgium
Length ������������������ 212m (Cycling Through Water), 700m (Cycling Through Trees)
Authority ���������������� Visit Limburg (project sponsor)
Designer ���������������� buro landschap (landscape architects)
Year completed ���������� 2016 (cycling through water) 2019 (cycling through trees)

Description
Limburg is known for cycling infrastructure, with National Park is the latest development that takes
over 2,000km of cycle paths throughout the cyclists over a 300m wooden structure as part of a
province, including three unique ones: Cycling 4km path through pine forests and heathland. The
Through Water, Trees and Heathland. These iconic structure provides a panoramic view for cyclists
developments provide a distinct view of nature across the landscape at its highest point.
in places that people might otherwise cycle past
without noticing. The innovative design of these All three projects have become highly popular
paths allows users to enjoy the landscape in a amongst tourists and locals alike, sustainably
boosting the local economy and encouraging active 1 2
completely original way.
travel and recreation. A fourth attraction, Cycling
Cycling Through Water is a 212m concrete path Underground, is planned to take cyclists into the
in the De Wijers Nature Reserve allowing cyclists marl caves in the south of Limburg. All of these
to pedal straight through a lake, with water at eye special experiences are part of a wider cycling
level on both sides. From a distance, the position network which creative design is making more
of the path creates the illusion of people gliding attractive.
through the water. The path establishes a fine
balance between ecology and tourism. As part
of the scheme, a nature conservation project has
improved conditions for local flora and fauna,
overlooked by an adjacent open-air museum.
Cycling Through Trees takes cyclists up 10m
Design principles
through the treetops of the Pijnven Nature Reserve.
A gradually inclined path allows users to ride • Inclusive
along a 100m diameter double circle that offers 3
360-degree views of the surrounding landscape. • Restrained
The path is elevated on a network of weathering • Environmentally sustainable
steel columns, reflecting the form and colour of • Innovative
the trunks of the pine trees that encompass it, thus
enabling the entire structure to fit into its context.
Cycling Through Heathland in Hoge Kempen

Images 1. Forest of columns: A weathering steel structure takes cyclist up into the tree tops. The earthy tones help it blend into the
forest. 2. Cycling through the trees: The structure gives cyclists a different, lighter, perspective of the forest. 3. Cycling through the
water: The route goes through the lake, rather than over or around. 4. Water attraction: Touring by cycle has boosted the local economy.
5. Eye level: The unique cycling experience provides a different perspective.

42
4 5
M25 Runnymede Bridge, UK

Facts
Location ���������������� Surrey, UK
Length ������������������ 126m 1 2
Authority ���������������� Department of Transport (now National Highways)
Designer ���������������� Ove Arup (designer), Fairclough Civil Engineering (contractor)
Year completed ���������� 1983

Description
A particular design challenge in constructing the The open spandrels allow light to penetrate and
M25 motorway was crossing the River Thames at avoid extending the tunnel effect of the original
Runnymede. A new bridge was needed alongside bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. A series of
the existing bridge designed by architect Sir Edwin steps allow access to the river and introduce a
Lutyens. Designed in 1939, but not constructed degree of human scale to an otherwise monumental
until 1961 as part of the A30 Staines Bypass, the structure. Construction did not require traditional
existing bridge presented both aesthetic and formwork in the river to support the arches as the
engineering challenges. frames were cast onshore, slid into position over the
river and connected in the centre.
It was decided early on that a replica bridge to carry
both the M25 and A30 would be visually inappropriate The new bridge is a thoroughly modern expression
and difficult to construct in this sensitive location close of a traditional bridge form which preserves and
to a weir and the historic meadows of Runnymede. enhances the integrity of the original. It is a creative
The original bridge is a single low and wide arch and technically innovative solution that generates a
over the river with shorter span arches onshore. strong visual relationship with the original, but is not
High quality external finishes had been specified by a copy.
Lutyens, including Portland stone, handmade facing
bricks and white concrete. Although the original
bridge has the appearance of a solid masonry
structure, steel trusses concealed behind brick panels
transfer loads from the deck to the arch.
The solution for the new bridge was an open
Design principles
spandrel arch of the same low and wide form as the
• Understandable
original, but made up of four parallel white concrete 3
frames. Each frame is made up of two balanced • Restrained
half-frames which are connected over the river. • Thorough
Trapezoidal portal rings in the middle of the half • Long-lasting
frames onshore transfer loads vertically to avoid
disturbing the foundations of the original bridge in
the London clay.

Images 1. Reflections on modernism: The aesthetic forms are a visual expression of the flow of structural forces in concrete.
2. No imitation here: In harmony yet contrasting with the visually heavy brick infill structure adjacent, the new bridge allows access to the
water from adjacent riverside paths. 3. Wide load: The solution for the M25 was an efficient yet elegant structure that mirrors the adjacent
bridge in form. 4. Inspiration: The form of the original bridge provided the starting point for the design.

44
4
A21 Lamberhurst, UK

Facts
Location ���������������� Kent, UK
Length ������������������ 3.2km Bypass, 40m Green Bridge
Authority ���������������� Highways Agency (now National Highways)
Designer ���������������� Fira Landscape Architecture, May Gurney (now Kier Group)
Year completed ���������� 2005

Description
The A21 Lamberhurst Bypass is a dual carriageway of the local dormice population. The National
designed to remove through traffic on the London Trust manages the landscape using traditional
to Hastings route from the village of Lamberhurst. management techniques such as hedge laying,
Alongside traffic calming measures in the village, to create a safe and connected habitat over the
the bypass relieved the village of heavy traffic and bridge. A wealth of wildlife has been recorded
reduced the severance effect of the old A21. The using the bridge including deer, foxes and badgers.
scheme includes one of the UK’s first land or green
bridges, an innovative feature to support landscape Located entirely within the AONB, the bypass
itself crosses the River Teise and the landscape 1 2
and habitat connectivity. The award-winning green
bridge maintains a historic driveway from the was designed to fit with existing features. On the
gatehouse to the National Trust’s Scotney Castle, northern section, open views are created to the
located in the High Weald Area of Outstanding east from the road, whereas these views are closed
National Beauty (AONB). on the southern section in proximity to the green
bridge. A soft central reserve with wire rope vehicle
The densely planted green bridge spans 40m restraint helps reduce the visual impact of the
and was designed to ensure existing woodland carriageways. The setting back of abutments on an
along the ridge stretching east to west across the access overbridge midway along the bypass allows
AONB was not interrupted by the construction of for clearer forward views ahead.
the road. It fits the natural and historic context and
ensures the quality of visitors’ experience and the
picturesque landscape on the approach to the
house is maintained. The bridge also serves as a Design principles
connection between two woodland habitats and
was designed to continue the roll of the hill that • Fits in context
would have been interrupted by the bypass. The 3
• Restrained
single span low concrete arch provides sufficient
width and depth for trees and shrubs on each side • Environmentally sustainable
of the access lane, giving wildlife sufficient space • Collaborative
and successfully screening the road below.
Planting on the bridge and the approaches was
designed to address the fragmented habitat areas

Images 1. A view from the bridge: The A21 is integrated into the wider landscape. 2. Life support: The concrete arch bridge supports
a variety of planting and wildlife. 3. Green infrastructure: The green bridge crosses the A21 to provide access to the National Trust’s
Scotney Castle for people, flora and fauna. 4. Up and over: The A21 links London to the south coast and here passes through an Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty. 5. Out of sight, out of mind: Visitors are unaware of the A21 below.

46
4 5
A142 Ely Southern Bypass, UK

Facts
Location ���������������� Cambridgeshire, UK
Length ������������������ 1.7km
Authority ���������������� Cambridgeshire County Council
Designer ���������������� Knight Architects (bridge designer), VolkerFitzpatrick (contractor)
Year completed ���������� 2018

Description
The Ely southern bypass completes the A142 to the visitors an enhanced experience of the city and the
south of the city, easing congestion by providing Grade 1 listed Ely Cathedral.
a new east-west link and connection to the A10.
The single carriageway road includes a 300m long The low-profile design of the railway bridge and
viaduct crossing the River Great Ouse, and a 100m viaduct enables them to sit comfortably within the
long two span rail bridge. The new route removes fenland landscape while respecting the floodplain.
the need for heavy goods vehicles to use a level Weathering steel was used for both structures
railway crossing adjacent to a low railway underpass to minimise future maintenance and fit into the
landscape context. Features such as the viaduct’s V 1
in the city. The bypass has successfully reduced
congestion and a barrier to future growth of the city. shaped concrete piers and its cantilevered walkway
separating pedestrians from traffic, demonstrate
First proposed in 2003, the setting within the innovative thinking and sensitivity to the context.
Fen Landscape and protected views towards As a result, there was good support from the
Ely Cathedral posed a challenge for the bypass. community and stakeholders for the project.
Workshops with local stakeholders were
subsequently held to help understand and resolve
the complex issues raised and establish a positive
approach to the design. As part of the project,
improvements are also being undertaken in the
station area to remove the level crossing and
improve pedestrian and cycle access to the railway
underpass. Design principles
In addition, a new walkway links the Fen Rivers Way • Safe and useful
and Ouse Valley Way footpaths together, providing 2
a circular walking route in the area. This also • Inclusive
improves access to the River Great Ouse Country • Fits in context
Wildlife Site and provides users with improved • Thorough
views of Ely and its surrounding landscape from a
look-out platform provided on the viaduct. As such,
the bypass has been designed to resolve a long-
standing traffic issue, and to provide residents and

Images 1. Protected: The walkway adjacent to the carriageway is set down lower, reducing noise for users. The human scaled timber
cladding softens the hard concrete structure for pedestrians who are in close proximity. 2. Viewing platform: The footway/cycleway is
positioned on the north side of the bridge to provide views of the wetlands and to Ely Cathedral. 3. Floodplain: The bridge crosses the
River Great Ouse on large V shaped piers. Its low height protects long distance views to medieval Ely Cathedral.

48 Images © Matthew Smith

3
A7 Gates of Light, Netherlands

Facts
Location ���������������� Afsluitdijk, Netherlands
Length ������������������ 700m Floodgates
Authority ���������������� Rijkswaterstaat
Designer ���������������� Studio Roosegaarde
Year completed ���������� 2017

Description
The Afsluitdijk is a 32km long and 90m wide dam alongside them. They are the historic features of
and causeway, part of the larger Zuiderzee Works the crossing. As part of the planned renovation
that provide flood protection and additional land of these structures, they are now illuminated after
for agriculture in the Netherlands. The Afsluitdijk dark through retroreflection using the headlights of
dammed off the Zuiderzee, a salt water sea inlet, passing vehicles.
to create the Ijsselmeer, a new fresh water lake.
In addition to providing a vital flood defence, the The permanent Gates of Light allows users to light
Afsluitdijk was designed to accommodate both a up the floodgates themselves to create a futuristic
landscape without using additional energy or 1 2
rail line and roadway. The rail line was never built,
and the unused reservation eventually became the causing permanent light pollution that could disturb
second carriageway of the A7 motorway. local birdlife. Inspired by the retroreflective wings of
butterflies, durable micro prisms were developed
After 85 years a major renovation of the and applied to key architectural features of the
Afsluitdijk began to secure its future role for floodgates with their renovation. The design reflects
both flood protection and mobility. As part of the a deep understanding of context and enhances
renovation programme, Studio Roosegaarde was what was already present, celebrating this key piece
commissioned to create Icoon Afsluitdijk, a three of infrastructure and the experience of using it.
piece art and design work based around light.
The pieces include Gates of Light, Windvogel
and Glowing Nature. Windvogel used smart kites
with light emitting cables to generate power when
flown from the Afsluitdijk. Glowing Nature was an Design principles
interactive exhibition with bioluminescent algae
held on the Afsluitdijk. Both of these pieces were • Understandable
temporary. 3
• Restrained
The Gates of Light focuses on the 60 monumental • Environmentally sustainable
floodgates built as part of the original Afsluitdijk; • Innovative
36 at the western end (Stevinsluizen at 450m long)
and 24 at the eastern end (Lorentzsluizen at 250m
long). These floodgates control water levels in the
lake and the A7 motorway passes between and

Images 1. Retro: 60 monumental floodgates were restored with a retroreflective layer which is illuminated by the lights of passing vehicles
only. 2. Dutch master: Artist Daan Roosegaarde was commissioned to create a number of public art projects with the renovation of the
Afsluitdijk. 3. Night watch: The art deco lines of the flood gate structures are highlighted against the night sky to enhance the road user
experience. 4. Dual use: The Afsluitdijk is a 32 km long dike which protects the Netherlands against flooding and also supports the A7
motorway.

50 Images © Studio Roosegaarde

4
Hovenring, Netherlands

Facts
Location ���������������� Eindhoven, Netherlands
Diameter ���������������� 72m
Authority ���������������� Eindhoven City Council
Designer ���������������� ipv Delft
Year completed ���������� 2012

Description
When new development began adding pressure above. This provides a high level of illumination to
to an already busy junction near the A2 motorway great visual effect, while reducing clutter.
outside Eindhoven, a solution was sought to
increase capacity while ensuring cyclists and To reduce the slope on approach for cyclists and
pedestrians could still negotiate the junction pedestrians, the junction itself was lowered by
safely and conveniently. Although cyclists and one and a half metres. In addition to prioritising
pedestrians could cross at grade at an existing the needs of these pedestrians and cyclists,
signalised roundabout, it was not ideal considering the low retaining walls required with the level
change provide vehicle restraint without the need 1 2
the volume of traffic. An underpass for cyclists and
pedestrians was discounted as they were generally for additional barriers around the junction. The
discouraged by the local authority for personal concrete foundation of the pylon in the centre
safety reasons. of junction (with ‘HOVENRING’ inset into it) also
provides sufficient protection, again without the
The solution was a standard signalised crossroad need for additional barriers.
junction to accommodate vehicles, while creating
a unique structure for cyclists and pedestrians The new bridge is not an isolated piece of iconic
above. The bridge comprises a single 70m high infrastructure. It is part of an extensive local
pylon rising from the centre of the junction, 24 network of segregated paths common across the
steel cables and a circular steel deck. The cables Netherlands.
are attached to the inner side of the deck where it
connects to an inner circular counterweight. This
keeps the cables away from the cyclists while Design principles
avoiding torsion within the structure. Slender ‘M’
shaped supports near the approach spans also • Safe and useful
help ensure stability. 3
• Inclusive
Lighting was fully integrated into the design of the • Understandable
structure, appropriate considering Eindhoven’s • Innovative
historic association with lighting and the Philips
company. Lighting within the inner counterweight
helps illuminate the junction, while lighting is also
fully integrated into the handrails on the paths

Images 1. Suspended: The pylon which supports the bridge deck was expressly designed to be a landmark structure.2. Ease of use:
The bridge allows cyclists to negotiate the busy junction without stopping. 3. City of Light: Lighting was a key part of the overall design,
reinforcing the sense of place as well as enhancing personal security. 4. Up and over: The bridge accommodates the movement of
cyclists from four directions without complication.

52
4
A650 Bingley Relief Road, UK

Facts
Location ���������������� West Yorkshire, UK
Length ������������������ 4.8km
Authority ���������������� Highways Agency (now National Highways)
Designer ���������������� Arup (designer), Amec (contractor)
Year completed ���������� 2004

Description
The A650 Bingley Relief Road substantially The scheme had broad support from stakeholders
reduced through traffic and significantly improved and the community. Two footbridges across the
the environment of the town centre. Before it was relief road have improved access to both the town
completed, 36,000 vehicles a day often brought centre and the canal, including the Bingley Three
the town centre to a near standstill, negatively Rise Locks. The Three Rise Bridge is a simple steel
impacting on safety, air quality, public transport and truss arch, while the Britannia Bridge to the south
the economy. is a cable stay structure that acts as a gateway to
Bingley. Local stone cladding was used on many 1 2
Options for a bypass or relief road were limited of the retaining and other structures, including
due to the geographical location of Bingley in a the walls of the realigned canal, in response to
valley. In the end the road was threaded through the context and reinforcing a sense of place. The
a narrow, mostly urban, corridor between a river, scheme became the first civil engineering project
railway, canal and built development. The road to win the Prime Minister’s Better Public Building
also had to cross two peat bogs, one of which was Award in 2004.
designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSI). The dual carriageway required 26 structures
in total, including two viaducts, two footbridges,
four overbridges, one rail bridge and numerous
soil-nailed retaining walls. The Leeds and Liverpool
Canal also had to be realigned by some 150m, an
unusual undertaking for a road scheme.
Design principles
The scheme faced numerous technical challenges
which required innovative technical solutions. To • Safe and useful
cross the 10m deep northern peat bog, a 200m 3
reinforced embankment with driven concrete piles • Inclusive
was required. The southern bog which is a SSSI, • Restrained
required strict environmental controls and a 200m • Collaborative
long viaduct formed by a series of low pre-cast
concrete arches was used to minimise any impact. A
sustainable drainage system successfully maintains
the ecological-hydrological balance of each peat bog.

Images: 1. Mind the gap: Maintaining local connectivity while relieving the town centre of heavy through traffic was a design objective.
2. Compression and tension: The cable stay footbridge ensured the bypass did not become a barrier to local connectivity and reflects
the industrial heritage of the town. 3. Material world: Retaining walls clad in local stone reflect the local built context. 4. In-between: This
section of the bypass is squeezed between the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, railway lines and Bingley town centre.

54
4
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