Pont Chauderon, Road bridge in Lausanne, Switzerland
Pont Chauderon is an arch bridge and footbridge in Lausanne that connects the western districts and spans the Flon Valley with six metal arches embedded in concrete. The structure consists of two parallel bridges linked by a concrete slab, creating space underneath that allows for circulation below.
The bridge was constructed between 1904 and 1905 by architects Eugène Monod and Alphonse Laverrière using the Melan system of metal arches. This construction method represented an important advance in bridge-building technology of that period.
The bridge's name comes from the Chauderon district it links to Beaulieu Avenue; its deck carries the tram line toward the station via Avenue Louis-Ruchonnet. Look for the Art Nouveau light fittings along the parapet and the two pairs of monumental pylons at the ends, elements dating from the 1905 opening.
The bridge is suitable for pedestrians and vehicles and can be crossed at any time, with both directions of travel continuously available. The access is level and the deck is accessible, making crossing convenient for people of varying mobility.
The 1990 restoration removed tram rails that had been buried under asphalt for years, resealing the deck to stop water reaching the steel reinforcement. The same work restored the whole structure, and the bridge has since been listed as a Swiss cultural property of national significance. Its Art Nouveau light fittings date from the 1905 opening.
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