Zalige Bridge, Nijmegen

In Nijmegen the measures resulted in the development of a new urban river park. The Zalige bridge is the icon of the path that runs through the park.

The bridge is designed as a continuation of the park’s path structure on the water. Built on the floodplains, the bridge changes significantly with the seasons. When the water levels start to rise, the bridge partially submerges, thereby becoming inaccessible a few days a year. The Zalige bridge exemplifies the Dutch approach to living with water: not by restraining it, but by embracing it and giving it enough space.

In January 2018 the Zalige bridge proved itself for the first time. Water levels rose to the highest point in 15 years. The bridge was only reachable through stepping stones and it became the ultimate place to experience the high water. Eventually, also the stepping stones submerged, making the bridge inaccessible. As a crest above the river, the bridge emphasizes the dynamic character of water by letting people see and experience the changing river landscape in a poetic way.

In collaboration with: H+N+S Landscape architects, Witteveen+Bos, Dura Vermeer Infra, Ploegam, Ingenieursbureau Amsterdam, Trafique.