We've got a thing for criss-crossing bridges at the moment so here's another one, this time designed by NEXT Architects and Rietveld Landscape for Amsterdam.

Update: see photos of the completed bridge in our later story here.

Called Melkwegbridge, the design separates pedestrian traffic from cyclists and wheelchair users.

Pedestrians cross over an arc to afford views from the summit, while the path for those on wheels zig-zags agross the water in order to achieve the required length to create a gentle slope between the banks of different heignts.

The lower deck with split in two and both parts will revolve to allow boats through.

See also:

Nanhe River Landscape Bridge by WXY Architecture
Pearl River Necklace by NL Architects

Here's some more information from NEXT Architects:

The Melkwegbrug (Milky Way Bridge), a continuation of the Melkweg, is part of the Kanaalsprong master plan and connects the Weidevenne district to the historical city centre of Purmerend, north of Amsterdam.

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To conform to the angle of inclination requirements with regard to bicycle and wheelchair traffic, we needed a length of over 100 m.

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We therefore decided to separate bicycle and wheelchair traffic from pedestrian traffic.

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Pedestrians cross the canal by a high arch, reach a height of over 12 m and stand a chance of a vista: the connection between the old and the new becomes perceivable here.

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The bridge thus becomes more than just the fastest possible crossing, it becomes an end and an attraction in itself.

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Because pedestrian traffic and bicycle traffic are separated, the footbridge can continue the direct line of the Melkweg in the direction of the centre.

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The bicycle bridge coils over the water to create sufficient length to limit the angle of inclination of the bicycle path.

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The section that opens is divided diagonally and consists of two revolving bridge decks.

See also:

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Pearl River Necklace by NL Architects	Nanhe River Landscape Bridge by WXY	Trestles Beach footbridge by Dan Brill Architects