Riaño, spain 2022

The Riaño Reservoir is part of a dramatic and powerful landscape.  It's stunning.  Situated at the edge of the basin, in the gap of what was once a river valley, this arcing span offers a counterpoint to the curve of the dam.  It serves as a gateway between the open basin and the narrow gorge leading to the dam.

In a challenging terrain, two disconnected trails are reunited.  A hybrid of bridge, tunnel, and walkway offer a means to successfully extend and connect these pathways.  Leading to the bridge, open walkways are purposefully interspersed to not only provide light and air along what would otherwise be a dark and oppressive path, but are strategically placed to avoid bearing on potential slide areas. Visually, the walkways intentionally extend the line of the bridge span into the landscape.

The bridge is formed from a horizontally curved concrete box beam deck bearing on a horizontally and vertically curved concrete arch. Tapered, faceted, and sloped spandrel columns support deck spans above. Steel tension cables in the box beam keep the deck rigid. Pinned laterally to resist overturning, abutments bearing on solid rock tie deck and arch together.

In what is undeniably a spectacular landscape, this bridge + pathway concept offers a sensible means of connection worthy of its location.