Puente Goián Vila Nova, Galicia - Portugal

The Goião Vila-Nova Bridge is an extremely light and airy structure, whose position and structure preserve intact the views of the impressive fortresses on either side of the Minho River. It respects the fragile ecology of the river, and its double-curved geometry will make crossing it an intense and profound experience, in which the ever-changing landscape that opens up to the Atlantic to the south and the valuable historical heritage to the north will be the most important thing. The asymmetry of the river in its direction of flow has determined the layout and structure of the bridge.

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To the north-east, upstream, the landscape is dominated by the Ponte da Amizade and, on the banks, by the fortress of San Lourenzo, in Spain, and, in Portugal, by the castle of Vila-Nova de Cerveira and the church of San Cipriano; to the south-west, downstream, the landscape is dominated by the mouth of the Minho and the alders and willows of the island of Boega.

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The layout of the bridge is sensitive to these different conditions and is "arched" to reward the views of the Atlantic. The type of structure chosen allows the bridge to have a deck with a maximum depth of 90 cm and a single span of 330 metres, suspended from the main cable - two Ø200 mm elements - with two Ø30 mm struts every 12 metres. The bollards are 50 metres high and will be partially hidden behind the large trees on both banks. The Goiáns Vila-Nova Bridge is a taut, slightly curved, almost invisible line that emerges from the wooded landscape of the riverbanks to 'jump' them with the greatest of ease.

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