Pont Chauderon, Arch bridge and footbridge 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 displays geometric Art Nouveau lighting fixtures along its deck and monumental stone pylons at both ends that reflect early 20th-century design. These architectural choices shape how the city looks and show the artistic preferences of the era when it was built.
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 bridge underwent comprehensive renovation in 2014, receiving carbon fiber reinforcements and waterproofing improvements while maintaining continuous traffic flow. This restoration extended the structure's lifespan significantly and demonstrated how a more-than-century-old construction could be modernized without interruption.
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