Trois-Sœurs Footbridge
- LocationQuébec (Québec)
- ClientCity of Québec
- year2015
- TeamABCP + EMS
- Awards and distinctions
Cecobois Award of Excellence – Innovative Solutions Category
- PHOTOGino Pelletier
An iconic footbridge where timber engineering meets landscape elegance.
The Trois-Sœurs Footbridge connects the Vanier district to Parc Victoria, spanning the Saint-Charles River with an elegant structure that blends seamlessly into the riverbanks' restored natural landscape. Conceived as a new urban landmark, the bridge promotes active transportation while showcasing the architectural and structural potential of timber.
Designed as a cable-stayed bridge with a single inclined pylon, the structure is distinguished by its innovative hybrid system combining glued laminated timber and steel. Its A-shaped pylon, formed by two massive timber columns, marks the entrance to the bridge, while a sculptural steel crown anchors the stay cables and serves as a striking visual landmark within the landscape. The 53-metre clear-span deck is supported by deep glued laminated timber girders suspended from a refined steel cable system. The contrast between crisp white steel and the warmth of exposed timber emphasizes the bridge's lightness while expressing the clarity of its structural design.
Using timber as the primary structural material represented a significant engineering achievement and contributes to the bridge's harmonious integration into its natural surroundings. Both an active transportation link and an architectural statement, the Trois-Sœurs Footbridge supports the revitalization of the Saint-Charles River corridor while establishing a strong contemporary identity. Recipient of a Cecobois Award of Excellence in the Innovative Solutions category, the project demonstrates the remarkable potential of timber in the design of major civil engineering structures.
