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La Voz de Madrid

Madrid Launches International Competition to Replace El Vado Footbridge

The Madrid City Council is seeking innovative ideas to replace the current footbridge connecting Arganzuela and Usera over the Manzanares River and the M-30.

Image of a modern pedestrian bridge over a river and a highway, with contemporary architectural design.
IA

Image of a modern pedestrian bridge over a river and a highway, with contemporary architectural design.

The Madrid City Council, in collaboration with the College of Civil Engineers, Canals and Ports of Madrid, has initiated an international ideas competition to replace the El Vado footbridge, a crucial infrastructure linking the districts of Arganzuela and Usera over the Manzanares River and the M-30.

The initiative was announced by Paloma García Romero, Delegate for Works and Equipment, and María Dolores Esteban, Dean of the professional college, during a site visit. They were accompanied by the councilwomen for Arganzuela, Lola Navarro, and for Usera, Sonia Cea. The current footbridge, located near the former Legazpi fruit and vegetable market, exhibits significant functional deficiencies, particularly concerning accessibility and safety, with areas of reduced visibility that hinder safe pedestrian passage.
The existing structure connects the intersection of Maestro Arbós, Teresa López Valcárcel, and Ricardo Damas streets on the left bank of the Manzanares River, with El Vado and Antonio López streets on the right bank. In addition to crossing the river, the footbridge spans the Manzanares Avenue and the M-30, covering nine lanes of traffic. Its replacement aims for a solution that integrates design, functionality, and safety, adapting to new urban challenges and improving the connection between the Legazpi and Almendrales neighborhoods.
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"This is the first time that the Department of Works and Equipment has launched an ideas competition in collaboration with this professional college."

Paloma García Romero · Delegate for Works and Equipment
The international competition will allow the City Council to access the talent of civil engineers worldwide, ensuring creative and innovative proposals that address the city's future needs. A jury comprising experts in civil engineering, urban planning, and sustainable design will evaluate the proposals, prioritizing structural quality, technical and economic viability, as well as urban, landscape, and environmental values.
Three prizes and up to three honorable mentions will be awarded. The first prize is endowed with 25,000 euros, the second with 15,000 euros, and the third with 10,000 euros, while honorable mentions will receive 5,000 euros each, all excluding VAT. The winner of the first prize may also be awarded the contract by the City Council to draft the preliminary and construction projects. The competition rules and technical documentation will be published this week on the website of the College of Civil Engineers, Canals and Ports of Madrid and on the Madrid City Council's contractor profile. The deadline for submitting proposals is August 31, and the jury's decision is expected in autumn.

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