Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation

Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation 

Enrico Sassi Architetto

Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
© Alberto Canepa

ARCHITECT
Enrico Sassi Architetto

CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
Consorzio Ravetta Sa - Larghi Sa

PREFABRICATION
Modultech Sa

WORKS MANAGEMENT
Ufficio Della Gestione Dei Manufatti

CIVIL ENGINEER
Stefano Notari – Mpn Ingegneria Sa

BLACKSMITH
Eros Togni Metalcostruzioni Sa

COLLABORATORS
Alessandro Armellini

CLIENT
Repubblica Del Cantone Ticino – Dipartimento Del Territorio

PAINTER
Coloriamo Sa

PHOTOGRAPHS
Alberto Canepa, Enrico Sassi

YEAR
2024

LOCATION
Mezzovico-vira, Switzerland

CATEGORY
Bridges, Vehicular Bridge, Pedestrian Bridge

Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
© Alberto Canepa

The footbridge is located in Mezzovico, in via Cavazz, and connects the two banks of the river Vedeggio. It is a cycle-pedestrian crossing included in the national route of the N3 cycle paths (North-South axis).

The load-bearing structure of the footbridge consists of two parallel and congruent trusses connected under the walking surface by a reticular support plane.

Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
© Alberto Canepa
Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
© Alberto Canepa

All constituent profiles are square-section RHS type. The upper chord and the ribs are 120 x 120 mm square-section profiles, while the diagonals are 80 x 80 mm square profiles.

The upper chord is a circumferential arch with a radius at intrados of 76.3 m. The minimum height of the truss is 100 mm, the maximum is 190 mm.

Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
© Alberto Canepa
Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
© Alberto Canepa

Before the renovation work, the walkway was equipped with a metal handrail (h. 100 cm) and a horizontal stainless steel cable guardrail, which was not standard.

The walking surface was made of wooden joists in a poor state of preservation.

Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
© Alberto Canepa
Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
© Alberto Canepa

The renovation and securing of the footbridge involves the replacement of the existing (deteriorated) walking surface, the removal of the horizontal stainless steel cables and the plugging of the empty triangular parts with a steel plate with a natural oxidised (rust) finish.

The plugging of the hollow space is realised with perforated sheet metal with the maximum possible void/full proportion.

Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
© Alberto Canepa
Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
© Alberto Canepa

The micro-perforated sheet metal infill provides transparency and allows for natural ventilation of the interior space of the walkway.

The main truss structure has been treated and painted with a 'rust' colour. The walking surface consists of 11 new precast concrete slabs with high frost resistance in the presence of de-icing salts with a hydrophobic treatment.

Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
© Alberto Canepa
Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
© Alberto Canepa

The walking surface is rough and non-slip; it was obtained by washing the surface combined with the application of a retardant on the formwork.

The total weight of the slabs is approximately 16 tonnes. The slabs were laid on neoprene strips directly applied to the side support profiles.

The colour of the paving slabs is light yellow and was obtained thanks to the aggregate used (Saltrio limestone).

The colours of the walkway are all warm tones, in harmony with the surrounding natural context.

Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
© Alberto Canepa


Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
© Alberto Canepa
Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
© Alberto Canepa
Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
© Alberto Canepa
Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
© Alberto Canepa
Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
© Alberto Canepa
Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
© Enrico Sassi
Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
© Enrico Sassi
Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
© Alberto Canepa


Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
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Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
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Mezzovico Pedestrian and Bicycle Footbridge Renovation
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