WEIGHTLESS
The new cycle-pedestrian bridge over the Vena Mazzarini in Cesenatico is a structure rebuilt on the site of the old existing bridge, reusing its piers and abutments. The project proposal is conceived as a creation of contemporaneity through history, a cultural journey between the past and the future, inspired by the memory of Cesenatico, with particular attention to the meeting point between the historical city and the seaside town. Lightness is the common thread in all design, material, and structural choices. The reuse of the support structures allows the retention of the three-span scheme, each consisting of two beams supported and connected by orthogonal crossbeams. Compared to the previous reinforced concrete deck, the new one, made entirely of Corten steel, reduces the static load per pier by about 1/8, reducing the approximately 240 tons of point load per pier to the 30 proposed by the project. The regular cadence of the Corten uprights is disrupted by a gradient capable of compressing and stretching the elements to the advantage of a harmonious design, enhanced by the perspective perception of an arch bridge, prominent along the axis of the canal. A pre-tensioned stainless steel mesh with a tight weave is anchored to the piers, maximizing safety and transparency over the water and evoking the memory of local nets and fishing structures. The parapet is completed by a circular-section handrail that runs from one side of the bridge to the other, connecting them. The aquatic environment of the Vena, being particularly aggressive and exposed to saltwater, suggested the use of Corten and stainless steel, materials capable of being durable and resilient. For the same reason, the deck flooring does not forgo the characteristic wooden planks of gentle mobility crossings, thanks to the use of "super-wood" Accoya: a wood species technologically treated to achieve superior performance in durability and dimensional stability.
