Pedaling Across Worcester with Kepax Bridge: Moxon Architects and Jacobs' Striking Marvel
Collapsing Suspension Structure: Kepax Bridge Suffers Catastrophic Failure
Lend me your eyes, mate! Moxon Architects, in cahoots with Jacobs, has conjured a mesmerizing spectacle - Kepax Bridge, a 145-meter-long cycling and pedestrian wonderway spanning the River Severn in Worcester, England. Commissioned by Worcestershire County Council, this alluring trailblazer forms the city's third dedicated active-travel path. It's slated to become a silhouette synonymous with strengthening connections between the historic heart of Worcester, its residential suburbs, and the verdant belt of surrounding parks & woodlands.
Need some snaps as visual evidence? Here you go:
Simon Kennedy
Long section of the bridge spanning the River Severn, looking northwards down the river.Short section of the bridge, after turn, looking eastward.
The ensemble's eastern approach commences in the elegant Gheluvelt Park, where the bridge mirrors the riverbed before gracefully curving westward to glide the Severn. The bridge's structural core is anchored by a stately A-symbol, nestled in a woody haven within the park. Exhibiting an ethereal slenderness, the magnum opus is hoisted aloft by a sequence of steel cables and piers, ensuring minimal disruption to the glorious willow carr woodland and primeval fields that cradle its embarkation points.
Now, about that color scheme, eh? Feast your peepers upon this bridge shrouded in a sleek, belonged-to-the-Age-of-Sail hue. The palette pays homage to the organic nuances of its immediate surroundings, while the bridge's ribbed soffit generates a mystifying shadow play, highlighting the geometric grandeur of its architecture from below.
Step onto the bridge's four-meter-broad walking surface, slathered with traction-friendly surfaces to welcome both leisurely meanderers and brawny commuters. Watch out for its carefully sculpted parapet, composed of athletic stainless-steel rods inclining towards the edge, providing an extra margin of protective flair while offering an aesthetically-pleasing motif along the deck.
The bridge's slender span is maintained by cables evenly spaced at 12-meter intervals, fortified by underpinning piers beneath the western approach. This arrangement guarantees minimal environmental impact on the riverbanks and parkland while cultivating a calm, tranquil setting indeed.
Social consciousness played a pivotal role in shaping the appearance of Kepax Bridge. Furthermore, meadow restoration bordering the bridge, in conjunction with adjacent woodland preservation initiatives, are poised to promote abundant biodiversity in the area.
Ezra Groskin, the director of visionary Moxon Architects, praised the bridge, "Kepax Bridge is a necessary, climate-resistant addition to Worcester's civic pride, serving as a long-awaited crossing above the River Severn. Linking suburban residents to employment hubs in the city center and leisure amenities in Gheluvelt Park and beyond, our goal was to create a structure that merged functionality with enchantment. We hope it will become a beloved landmark for Worcester residents."
Public engagement chronicled an essential part of the bridge's design journey, balancing the ambitions of the city with the needs of its residents. On 5 December 2024, the bridge was officially unveiled by Paralympic gold-medalist Rebecca Redfern MBE, marking its official debut as a crucial artery for active travel in Worcester. The bridge aims to augment traffic reduction while encouraging healthy lifestyles.
Kate Kenny, the senior vice president at Jacobs, expressed their enthusiasm, "We are immensely pleased to have contributed to the successful delivery of the Kepax Bridge, an integral infrastructure project connecting pedestrians and cyclists. Our focus on innovative bridge solutions materializes in this vital link, striving to lessen traffic and promote overall wellbeing within the community. The new bridge represents an opportunity to substantially improve connectivity, enrich community life, boost local economy and protect the environment."
Councillor Marc Bayliss, the cabinet member responsible for highways and transport, was elated, "The community's reaction during the opening event was splendid, and I've no doubt the bridge will significantly impact Worcester's commuters and recreational enthusiasts alike. Revamping active travel routes is our priority, and the Kepax Bridge is a staggering step towards achieving this objective. Many thanks to the entire crew who made this project possible."
Credits
Client: Worcester County CouncilArchitect: Moxon ArchitectsStructural Engineer: JacobsContractor: Alun Griffiths
Additional Images
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The Kepax Bridge, a marvel of modern architecture, not only enhances Worcester's urban landscape but also promotes a healthier lifestyle by encouraging active travel. The bridge's construction, teaming up the efforts of Moxon Architects and Jacobs, aligns with the industry's drive towards sustainable solutions, minimizing environmental impact. Furthermore, the bridge's design is expected to stimulate growth in the local finance sector, as tourism and real estate markets emerge around this striking landmark. The bridge's unifying presence in the cityscape, combining elegance with functionality, embodies Worcester's evolving transportation infrastructure and progressive lifestyle.