Swiss Bridge Design Spans Time and Distance

Having long played crucial roles in Switzerlands history, modern bridges there now lead technical innovation in design and construction. Two recently completed Swiss Bridges bridges of prestressed concrete are singled out for special study because they satisfy the three main criteria for design excellence: high quality of performance with minimum materials, low construction cost, and final forms of high aesthetic quality. The Felsenau Bridge is presented here to illustrate the unique Swiss system of design competitions. The Gantor Bridge is discussed as an example of the Swiss tradition of innovation in structural form.