Chords Bridge
Chords Bridge גשר המיתרים | ||
|---|---|---|
tracks 2 | | |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) | |
| Electrified | Overhead lines | |
| History | ||
| Architect | Santiago Calatrava | |
| Engineering design by | Santiago Calatrava | |
| Construction start | 2005 | |
| Construction end | 2008 | |
| Construction cost | NIS 246 million | |
| Inaugurated | June 25, 2008 | |
| Location | ||
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| References | ||
| [1][2] | ||
The Chords Bridge (
History
Calatrava first visited Israel for the opening of an exhibition of his works in Haifa in 1997. During that visit, he was invited to design a pedestrian bridge in Petah Tikva, which was opened in 2005. He was invited to Jerusalem by city engineer Uri Shetrit and former mayor Ehud Olmert,[3] who, according to Calatrava, challenged him to "do the most beautiful contemporary bridge".[4]
Construction of the Chords Bridge began in 2005, with an estimated cost of NIS 129 million, far higher than the initial forecast of NIS 80 million.[5]
Design and symbolism
The bridge was designed to add a defining visual element to the Jerusalem "skyline" at the entrance to the city, and to carry a light rail system, expected to solve some of the city's traffic problems. For Calatrava the bridge is "also the excuse to create a major plaza, to give character and unity to this delicate place".[6]
Similar to Calatrava's
A striking feature of the bridge is a single 118-metre (129 yd) high mast supporting the roadway via 66 steel cables[8] arranged in a parabolic shape which develops three-dimensionally in space,[6] making it the tallest structure in Jerusalem at the time of its completion. The exterior of the bridge is mostly clad in Jerusalem stone, with steel, glass and concrete detailing. Dubbed "Jerusalem's first shrine of modern design" by Time magazine,[7] the bridge has become a tourist attraction.
The form of the bridge resembles a tent in the desert or a harp, with the cables as the strings, symbolising King David's harp, according to some observers,[9] others interpret the looming pylon as the bust of a long-necked bird, a human arm or an arrow caught in a bow.[10]
Acceptance and criticism
The project had many people concerned, but was welcomed with great controversy. Supporters, such as architectural historian
See also
References
- ^ "Jerusalem Light Rail Project". Jerusalem Municipality. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
- ^ a b Lefkovits, Etgar (25 June 2008). "Jerusalem landmark inaugurated with gala". The Jerusalem Post.
- ^ Zandberg, Esther (17 June 2004). "The builder of bridges". Haaretz.
- ^ a b Kershner, Isabel (4 April 2008). "Grand bridge for a drab Jerusalem neighborhood". The New York Times.
- ^ Kedmi, Sharon (20 January 2005). "Shapir, Eiffel win tender to build Calatrava bridge project". Haaretz.
- ^ a b "Santiago Calatrava, Light Rail Train Bridge, Jerusalem, Israel". arcspace.com. 21 July 2008.
- ^ a b "Striking Chords in Jerusalem". Time. 16 July 2007. Archived from the original on November 22, 2008.
- ^ a b "Discord at opening of Chords Bridge - Haaretz - Israel News". Retrieved 2008-07-02.
- ^ a b The Associated Press (25 June 2008). "Jerusalem's Bridge of Chords - a new addition to city of ancient symbols". Haaretz.
- The Jewish Daily Forward.
- ^ Rotem, Tamar (19 May 2008), "The Controversial Bridge (גשר המחלוקת)", Haaretz (in Hebrew), retrieved 5 December 2011
- ^ "The bridge too far - or not far enough?". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 2009-05-15. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
- ^ Lefkovits, Etgar (13 November 2008). "Jerusalem Affairs: Giving new meaning to an undivided capital". The Jerusalem Post.
External links
- Bridges, string art and Bézier curves — mathematical analysis of the shape.
| Authority control databases: Geographic |
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