Grimsel Lake road bridge, Guttannen
In the unique setting of the Grimsel region, a well-balanced relationship between cost and aesthetics—in the broader sense of the landscape—plays an important role. With its light, modern, transparent elegance, the bridge is intended to contrast with the sheer power of the landscape and the massiveness of the heavyweight dam, which was expanded in the old style.
The design developed by Prof. Dr. C. Menn proposes a cable-stayed bridge. In the high mountains, in view of the technical requirements for safety, durability and serviceability, the bridge concept must take into account not only the usual, standardized actions but, above all, extreme local loads from wind, snow and ice. The two 75 m-high pylons are located directly on the lakeshore and form the end points of the bridge, which spans 350 m. The bridge girder is formed by two concrete-filled steel hat sections as the main longitudinal girders and by prefabricated concrete deck elements. Every 8.25 m, the girder is supported by a pair of stay cables.