This Italian region now has Europe’s highest Tibetan bridge
It’s not for the faint-hearted
The elegant and demanding structure will likely be completed in the summer of 2023
Pärnu City Government has issued a building permit for the Raba-Lai Bridge, otherwise known as Swan Bridge because of its elegant design reminiscent of the airy curves of a swimming white swan. The public tender will be launched in the coming weeks and the construction of the 364-metres-long bridge is expected to begin this autumn with completion date tentatively set for the summer of 2023.
"Words are followed by deeds. We are doing business so that construction can start soon," said Pärnu Mayor Romek Kosenkranius, as quoted by the city website.
Residents of this Estonian seaside resort city have been dreaming of a third bridge for 20 years now. Last year, the architectural competition for the new bridge was won by Trilog Studio with their holistic design “Luik” (swan). The bridge’s architect and Pärnu native Mari-Liis Vunder told ERR she was inspired by the swans on Lake Zürich where she lived for nine years. Stricto Project OÜ is responsible for the engineering part of the project.
The city will contribute EUR 10 million to the cost, but a lot more money is needed. So the city government has applied for additional EUR 8.6 million from the Cohesion Fund. Another EUR 8 million may come from next year's state budget, as the Estonian state traditionally supports local investments.
After the completion of the Raba-Lai Bridge, in about five years the city government plans to overhaul the Downtown Bridge, expanding the pedestrian and bicycle paths along its edges and leaving two lanes for cars in the middle.
Even though the old bridge will likely experience less traffic after Swan Bridge becomes operational, Downtown Bridge will not be entirely closed to motor vehicles, contrary to some press reports. Indeed, this has been one of the options discussed to make Pärnu city centre more pedestrian-friendly, but the traffic solution of Downtown Bridge and its surroundings will be decided after the completion of Swan Bridge, assures Mayor Kosenkranius.
If you want to keep up with how European cities and regions are changing, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
What are the reasons for that and are there any possible solutions for that problem?
Possibly making it the only legislature in the world with a religious temple on-site
It’s not for the faint-hearted
Presenting the next chapter in the Dutch capital’s ‘Stay Away’ campaign aimed at rowdy tourists
The City says this has become a necessity due to the increasing number of incidents involving these vehicles
That way you can notify a canal lock keeper to open the gates so the animals can swim through
The organizers had been considering different Parisian spots, but always with the idea of the flame being visible to the people
Electricity production in that Eastern European country will not release direct CO2 emissions anymore
Possibly making it the only legislature in the world with a religious temple on-site
This initiative is not just about making books more accessible – it has larger ambitions in its sights
We owe the unusual cultural icon to this country in Europe
The country’s capital has been a pioneer in crafting policy and initiatives to improve coexistence between people and pets
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team