Heuwaage-Viadukt, architectural structure

The Heuwaage-Viadukt is one of the three large viaducts in Basel, on the Grossbasel side, separating the Am Ring and Vorstädte districts. It spans the underground Birsig, the canal of the Rümelinbach (discontinued in 1905) and the former moats of the Steinentor and Steinenschanze. Its abutments each house a large car park, planned for 460 vehicles on the west and 800 on the east.

A viaduct over the Heuwaage square was first planned in 1889, revived in 1933 and put out to tender in 1937, but the Second World War halted work. In the early 1960s Basel's building director Max Wullschleger pushed the project forward, with a large car park planned in each abutment. The Grand Council approved it on 20 May 1965, construction began in February 1966 and the viaduct opened in 1970.

The name comes from an old weigh station that once stood here to measure goods entering the city. Today, the bridge remains a practical connector that helps different neighborhoods stay linked and keeps daily movement flowing through Basel.

The bridge is easy to reach on foot and open to both vehicles and pedestrians. It functions as an everyday crossing that fits well into the city's street layout and leads to main traffic points.

The bridge underwent major repairs in 2009 and 2010 to strengthen its stability against potential earthquakes. These upgrades show how the city continuously invests in the safety and durability of its infrastructure.