BILBAO AND ITS BRIDGES Bridges have a special significance in the urban model of Bilbao. They connect the left and right banks of the river and, at the same time, the play a vital role in social integration.
With ships entering Bilbao from the outer port, for many years it was imperative to keep the river free of obstacles. There could only be a few bridges and they had to be “passable�, such as the famous Bizkaia Bridge transporter bridge, and World Heritage Site, commonly known as the Hanging Bridge of Portugalete, the entry point for ships sailing up the river. Moving up river to Rontegi Bridge, which is restricted to vehicular traffic, has never been an obstacle due to its enormous height.
Zubi Zuri is a, 10 m. high and 75 m. long, arched construction over the river. The 4 m. wide footbridge is structured around a tubular girder from which a number of supports descend to hold the glass brick platform, giving the impression of a spectacular white sailboat.
Pedro Arrupe Footbridge is radically different. Planned by engineer Jose Antonio FERNANDEZ ORDOĂ‘EZ, it was completed by his son Lorenzo, following his death. This 6 m. wide structure, containing thirteen pieces of steel, has six entrances and measures 140 m. in length. The bridge is completed by a covering of Brazilian Walnut wood with a special non-slip treatment and an anti-vibration device.
Euskalduna Bridge is the nearest to the sea. Engineer Javier MANTEROLA, from Navarre, conceived this new bridge intended for both motor vehicles and pedestrians. The bridge is made from a 250 m. long and 27 m. wide curved solid metal structure, with a large canopy covering the pedestrian area. Since its inauguration in 1997, Euskalduna Bridge has absorbed most of the traffic from Deusto Bridge and the tunnel that joins Enekuri to Morgan Street. Its most emblematic element is a 45 m. high illumination tower. All in all, it is much more than just an ornament over the river.