Puente de la Mujer
Encyclopedia
The Puente de la Mujer is a footbridge
in the Puerto Madero
district of Buenos Aires
, Argentina
that spans dock 3 (dique 3). It is of the Cantilever spar cable-stayed bridge
type and is also a swing bridge
, but somewhat unique in its asymmetrical arrangement. It has a single mast with cables suspending a portion of the bridge which rotates 90 degrees in order to allow water traffic to pass. When it swings to allow watercraft passage the far end comes to a resting point on a stabilizing pylon.
It was designed by Santiago Calatrava
and is similar to his Puente del Alamillo
and Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay
, but with a forward, rather than a reverse angled cantilever
, as is seen in those bridges. The footbridge was donated by Alberto L. González to the City of Buenos Aires in gratitude for 60 years of work in the country. Started in 1998, it was completed on December 20, 2001.
Artistic donation to the city of Buenos Aires
In remuneration for 60 years of work in this country
Lorenzo Alberto Gonzalez Foundation
Footbridge
A footbridge or pedestrian bridge is a bridge designed for pedestrians and in some cases cyclists, animal traffic and horse riders, rather than vehicular traffic. Footbridges complement the landscape and can be used decoratively to visually link two distinct areas or to signal a transaction...
in the Puerto Madero
Puerto Madero
Puerto Madero, also known within the urban planning community as the Puerto Madero Waterfront, is a barrio of the Argentine capital at Buenos Aires CBD, occupying a significant portion of the Río de la Plata riverbank and representing the latest architectural trends in the city of Buenos...
district of Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
that spans dock 3 (dique 3). It is of the Cantilever spar cable-stayed bridge
Cantilever spar cable-stayed bridge
A cantilever spar cable-stayed bridge is a modern variation of the cable-stayed bridge. This design has been pioneered by the architect Santiago Calatrava. An example of this type is the Puente del Alamillo...
type and is also a swing bridge
Swing bridge
A swing bridge is a movable bridge that has as its primary structural support a vertical locating pin and support ring, usually at or near to its centre of gravity, about which the turning span can then pivot horizontally as shown in the animated illustration to the right...
, but somewhat unique in its asymmetrical arrangement. It has a single mast with cables suspending a portion of the bridge which rotates 90 degrees in order to allow water traffic to pass. When it swings to allow watercraft passage the far end comes to a resting point on a stabilizing pylon.
It was designed by Santiago Calatrava
Santiago Calatrava
Santiago Calatrava Valls is a Spanish architect, sculptor and structural engineer whose principal office is in Zürich, Switzerland. Classed now among the elite designers of the world, he has offices in Zürich, Paris, Valencia, and New York City....
and is similar to his Puente del Alamillo
Puente del Alamillo
The Alamillo Bridge is a structure in Seville, Andalucia , which spans the Canal de Alfonso XIII, allowing access to La Cartuja, an island between the canal and the Guadalquivir River. The bridge was constructed as part of infrastructure improvements for Expo 92, which was held on a large site on...
and Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay
Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay
The Sundial Bridge is a cantilever spar cable-stayed bridge for bicycles and pedestrians that spans the Sacramento River in Redding, California, United States and forms a large sundial. It was designed by Santiago Calatrava and completed in 2004 at a cost of US$23,500,000...
, but with a forward, rather than a reverse angled cantilever
Cantilever
A cantilever is a beam anchored at only one end. The beam carries the load to the support where it is resisted by moment and shear stress. Cantilever construction allows for overhanging structures without external bracing. Cantilevers can also be constructed with trusses or slabs.This is in...
, as is seen in those bridges. The footbridge was donated by Alberto L. González to the City of Buenos Aires in gratitude for 60 years of work in the country. Started in 1998, it was completed on December 20, 2001.
Name
A number of streets in the district have woman's names, thus giving the bridge its name.Dedication plaque (English translation)
Woman's bridgeArtistic donation to the city of Buenos Aires
In remuneration for 60 years of work in this country
Lorenzo Alberto Gonzalez Foundation