The Three Countries Bridge at a glance

The Three Countries Bridge connects the two twin towns, Weil am Rhein on the German and Huningue on the French side of the Rhine. With a span of appr. 230 m and a total length of 248 m, it is the longest cantilever pedestrian and cycle bridge in the world.




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Photos: R. Armbruster-Mayer / T.Dix / D. Zöbelin / O.Welti
© Weil am Rhein Wirtschaft & Tourismus GmbH

The asymmetric arched bridge of steel construction was built in 10 months in 2006. Total weight is more than 1,000 tons. Construction costs of appr. 10 million Euros were equally borne by the two owners, the Communauté de Communes des Trois Frontières and the town of Weil am Rhein. Financing was also provided through grants from the European Union, the Land of Baden-Wuerttemberg, the Departement of Haut-Rhin, the Region of Alsace and the town of Huningue.

Before the bridge was opened to the public in March 2007, a vibration test involving 600 people was performed in January 2007.

The bridge was inaugurated on 30 June and 1st July, 2007 during a spectacular bridge festival.

Since then, the Bridge has been awarded major prizes like the German Bridge Award 2008 (Deutscher Brückenbaupreis), as well as the highest international award, the Arthur G. Hayden Medal.


 

Design:	Feichtinger Architectes, Dietmar Feichtinger, Paris Leonhardt, Andrä & Partner, Stuttgart and Berlin
Awards:	Deutscher Brückenbaupreis 2008 Renault Future Award Arthur G. Hayden Medaille Footbridge Awards 2008 Best for Bike
Contact, Press information / Photos	Daniela Heim - E-Mail: d.heim@w-wt.de

The Three countries bridge - the main data

► You will find the most important information in the leaflet “Bridges connect”. It is available for EUR 5.00 from the Weil am Rhein Tourist Office.

 

26.09.1996	The idea is born for building a new pedestrian and cycle bridge to directly connect Weil am Rhein and Huningue
20.10.1997	Statement of intent between the town of Weil am Rhein and Huningue to build a bridge
21.12.1999	German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer welcomes the intention to build a bridge as “a useful brick for the European House”and promises to provide as soon as possible for suitable conditions for building it.
10.02.2000	Weil am Rhein council unanimously approves building of bridge.
22.02.2000	SIPES unanimously approves building of pedestrian and cycle bridge
23.05.2000-22.07.2005	Weil am Rhein building plan procedure
07.03.2001	Communauté de Communes des Trois Frontières takes over all of SIPES’ duties and obligations in order to prepare building of bridge
12.06.2001	“Agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and the French Republic relating to the construction and maintenance of frontier bridges across the Rhine which do not fall under the Parties’ obligation to construct and maintain” signed at the Freiburg French-German summit
21.06.2001	Public invitation to bridge design competition in Germany and France
19.10.2001	Prize winner: Leonhardt, Andrä und Partner planning team, Berlin, and Feichtinger Architectes, Paris (ARGE LAP/FA)
16.07.2002	Completion of initial design on the basis of the competition
16.01.2003	“Bridge for the citizens Supporters’ Association e.V.” founded in Weil am Rhein
23.12.2003	French kick-off event to mark start of construction
13.10.2004	First Agreement of Cooperation between Communauté des Trois Frontières and Weil am Rhein concluded
10.04.2005-06.05.2005	Huningue “Enquête Publique” carried out (allows start of construction)
31.05.2005	Europe-wide tender for works
06.10.2005	Award of contract
10.04.2006	Start of construction on the French side of the Rhine
02.05.2006	Cornerstone ceremony at the river bank of Huningue
19.07.2006	Start of steel structure works at the river bank of Huningue
12.11.2006	Float-in of superstructure segments
24.11.2006	End of construction
19.12.2006	Weil am Rhein Council decides and Huningue and Communauté de Communes des Trois Frontières agree to give the name “Three Countries Bridge” to the pedestrian and cycle bridge across the Rhine between Weil am Rhein and Huningue
13.01.2007	Vibration measurements on the bridge – 600 people participate
30.03.2007	Opening to the public
30.06.2007-01.07.2007	Bridge festival Weil am Rhein / Huningue
Awarding authorities Town of Weil am Rhein Communauté de Communes des Trois Frontières Architects Dietmar Feichtinger Architectes, Paris   Engineers Leonhardt, Andrä und Partner, Berlin Planungsgemeinschaft ARGE LAP/FA/Weil am Rhein Contractors Max Bögl, Bauunternehmung GmbH, Neumarkt (general contractor) Sarens GmbH Germany, Düsseldorf (float-in) Technical data Length 248 m Span 229.40 m Weight 1,000 t Usable width 5-7 m Height of arc 26 m (clearance height above water level)   Costs (as of 1 March, 2007)     Construction costs net 7,000,000 Euros   Total costs (gross) 10,000,000 Euros         Funding           Land of Baden-Württemberg 2,900,000 Euro   Communauté de Communes des Trois Frontières 2,165,000 Euro   European Union 1,680,000 Euro   Town of Weil am Rhein 1,194,000 Euro   Refund of French Value Added Tax 780,000 Euro   Département Haut-Rhin 706,000 Euro   Région Alsace 425,000 Euro   Ville de Huningue 150,000 Euro         Bridge for the citizens Supporters’ Association e.V.” Weil am Rhein     Donation 125,000 Euro