De la Tortue Footbridge
- LocationQuébec (Québec)
- ClientVille de Québec
- year2021
- Awards and distinctions
Wood Design& Building Awards Program 2022 – Wood Preservation Canada Sponsorship Award
Award of Merit, Canadian Architect
Cecobois Award of Excellence – Innovative Solutions Category
Finalist, Wood Preservation Award, Wood Design & Building Awards Program, Canadian Wood Council
Grand Laureate (Architecture), Gold Certification and Platinum Laureate, Grands Prix du Design – Infrastructure Category
- PHOTOStéphane Groleau
A timber footbridge that opens onto the river.
Slenderand elegant, the De la Tortue Footbridge blends seamlessly into the landscapeof the Saint-Charles River. Serving as both an urban landmark and a landscape feature, this pedestrian and cycling bridge connects the riverbanks while offering a memorable experience where timber, light, and structural expression enhance the beauty of the Pointe-aux-Lièvres linear park.
Entirely suspended and asymmetrical, the bridge is supported by a system of steel cables and girders carrying a glued laminated timber deck, with both the underside of the deck andits structural elements left exposed. This structural approach minimizes the supporting framework while opening generous views toward the river. Distinctive V-shaped masts rising more than 20 metres above the deck give the bridge a strong identity while emphasizing its light, graceful appearance. Timber decking, slender steel and stainless steel mesh guardrails, and discreet integrated lighting provide comfort, safety, and visual restraint both day and night.
Designed with sustainability and environmental stewardship as guiding principles, the bridge is located beyond the high-water line to minimize its ecological footprint. A suspended secondary pathway beneath the main deck invites visitors to move closer to the water, observe local wildlife and vegetation, and transform the simple act of crossing into a moment of contemplation. Aligned with the axis of 8e Rue de Limoilou, the bridge forges a meaningful connection between the natural landscape and the surrounding urban fabric. Distinguished by its innovative structural concept, refined detailing, and poetic form, the De la Tortue Footbridge offers far more than a crossing—it creates a destination and an experience in its own right.
