A wide rail corridor in front of Zurich’s main station separates Districts 4 and 5. Existing connections such as the Duttweiler and Hard bridges, the Langstrasse underpass, the Negrellisteg, and—starting in 2024—a dedicated bicycle tunnel beneath the station link the neighborhoods of Aussersihl and the Industriequartier. As part of its municipal transport development plan, the City of Zurich is now proposing an additional pedestrian and cycling link between Hohlstrasse and Geroldstrasse.
The proposed bridge is both architecturally elegant and structurally innovative. Its sweeping steel form follows the natural flow of movement and is precisely tailored to the needs of its users while integrating seamlessly into the urban context. The bridge will run from the cantonal Police and Justice Center (PJZ) near Remisenstrasse, passing beneath the existing Kohlendreieck Bridge, crossing over the rail tracks, and continuing alongside the Wipkinger Viaduct to connect with Viaduktstrasse and Geroldstrasse, providing access to the Letten Viaduct.
At the heart of the design is an 8-meter-wide deck featuring a planted median that separates pedestrian and bicycle traffic and enhances the spatial quality. Open railing elements offer unobstructed views of the railway corridor and the city beyond. More than just a functional infrastructure element, the new bridge will become a vital urban link and a public space with strong identity for the surrounding neighborhoods.
