Bridge in Shape of Wave Wins Contest

The proposal for a bridge called Alda, meaning ‘wave,’ emerged as the winner of a design contest for a bridge over Fossvogur cove, meant to connect Reykjavík and Kópavogur, Morgunblaðið reports. It is designed by Efla Consulting Engineers.

Alda is designed to be 270 meters (about 890 ft) long, and to connect the north end of Bakkabraut road on Kársnes point in Kópavogur to an area near the end of the Reykjavík Airport runway, west of Nauthólsvík cove.

The winning proposal was chosen from 15 entries received. The selection committee describes it as unassuming, but powerful, fitting effortlessly into the surroundings, with an interesting wave-like shape that has a reference to the waves of the ocean.

The bridge includes a fast lane for bicycles on the west side, a slow lane for bicycles and pedestrians on the east side, and a center lane for public transportation.

The building of a bridge over Fossvogur cove is part of the first phase of the construction of the public transportation plan Borgarlína, or City Line. The bridge is intended to encourage environmentally friendly commuting options, to shorten commute, reduce rush hour traffic, and to improve choices for pedestrians and cyclists.