Albi is considered one of the most beautiful French cities. In the midst of this impressive and centuries-old architecture, an investment has been made that responds to the needs of modern mobility while respecting the local heritage. A new pedestrian and cycle bridge was built over a railway viaduct dating back to the 19th century, and its design was selected through an international competition, won by Ney & Partners in 2013. The implementation of the crossing was completed years later, being quickly appreciated by local residents.
The new footbridge – aims and objectives
The public contract launched by the ‘Communauté d’agglomération de l’Albigeois’ aimed to create a crossing to support sustainable transport in the city centre and improve accessibility to the La Madeleine district and the Pratgraussals recreational area. The project was also part of a wider plan to manage the historic centre of Albi, which has been under UNESCO protection since 2010.
Historical background and urban context
Albi developed on the south side of the River Tarn. Its architecture is based on a consistent style using pink bricks – the so-called ‘briques foraines’. Among the city’s most characteristic buildings are the Cathedral of St Cecilia and the Berbie Palace. The centre has a medieval urban layout with a network of small streets and squares surrounding the main square in front of the cathedral. This structure was an important point of reference for planners. The railway viaduct was built around 1865. The structure is an all-brick, seven-arched structure with a span of 29 metres and a height of 30 metres above the water level. Prior to the announcement of the competition, a study was carried out, which revealed its good technical condition and possible use in the new project. Working with SNCF, the possibility of adding a lightweight footbridge was confirmed. When the viaduct was built, no consideration was given to its impact on the quality of public spaces. The mighty structure brutally cut through two historic squares that had lost their importance over the decades. The new design restored them to their former prominence and urban function. The redevelopment plan was prepared by the Belgian urban planning studio MS-A.
New crossing over the Tarn
According to the competition guidelines, two locations were allowed for the footbridge – on the east or west side of the viaduct. Ultimately, the western side was chosen to preserve the exposure of the brick structure and to better integrate the development into the urban landscape. The new crossing was designed as an extension of the existing sequence of urban squares. Its location offers panoramic views of the historic centre, framed by the arcades of the viaduct. For this reason, the viewpoints have become one of the most important compositional elements. The geometry of the footbridge follows the rhythm of the older structure. Its course is parallel, with gentle bends that give the route a dynamic character and enrich the user experience. The main part is 3.5 metres wide, but at the arcade it widens to 7.5 metres, creating terraces with benches and shade.
The role of the riverside space
The pedestrian and cycle bridge in Albi restores meaning to urban spaces that have been degraded over the years and offers a new perspective on the historic city centre. The subtle relationship between the heavy brick structure of the viaduct and the light form of the steel footbridge creates an interesting composition that has been accepted and appreciated by residents and architecture lovers around the world.
Design: Ney & Partners
Location: Albi, France
Implementation: 2016-2025
Dimensions: 3.5 to 7.5 m wide, 180 m long
Weight of steel: 300 tonnes
Photographs: Vincent Boutin
Read also: Architecture | Monument | City | France | whiteMAD on Instagram
