Renovating Two Footbridges over Ripoll River in Sabadell (Spain)

<p>These two footbridges are twins and were part of the Ripoll River channelling works in Sabadell (Spain), undertaken in response to the historic floods of 1962. At the time, they represented an innovative structural solution in Spain: cantilever cable-stayed structures composed of three isostatic spans. In fact, the tensile elements had to be imported under a special permit. </p> <p>Following several inspections and technical reports, the complete restoration of the footbridges was deemed necessary. However, as the structures are listed by the City Council, their restoration required the preservation of their typology, volumetry, and materials whilst ensuring compliance with current standards and regulations. </p> <p>Both footbridges have a single span slightly exceeding 50 m in length and are 2 m wide. The deck is supported by four pairs of stay cables that pass through two pylons positioned at the abutments and are anchored to the ground. </p> <p>The rehabilitation works involved replacing the cables and the deck, restoring the pylons and abutments, and demolishing and reconstructing the anchorage blocks. </p>