Valens – Pfäfers, Switzerland

Two outstanding pieces of structural engineering

Tamina Bridge

475 metres long, 200 metres high – the Tamina Bridge is Switzerland’s biggest arch bridge and a masterpiece of structural engineering. A masterpiece in its own right: the railing made out of Webnet.

The bridge, opened in 2017, provides an easy and safe connection between Valens and Pfäfers in the Canton of St. Gallen, crossing the Tamina canyon at a dizzying height. Its elegance and the efficiency of its structure earned the bridge one of the 2018 Structural Awards. The jury also liked the way the bridge integrates with its surroundings and the high degree of transparency that has been achieved.

The transparency is accentuated by the use of Webnet as a safety net. With is virtually transparent look, the 1.55 metres high railing net blends well with the concrete architecture. Jakob Rope System’s leading position in the sector of security nets and structural measures for suicide prevention helped in securing the prestigious order.

Builder: Department of Civil Engineering, Canton of St. Gallen
Planning: Leonhardt, Andrä und Partner, Stuttgart