Arch-shaped pedestrian bridge, by architect Santiago Calatrava.
This architect designed a 75-meter-long structure crowned by a powerful steel arch. A total of 39 cables emerge from it - on one side and the other -, also made of steel, responsible for connecting the distorted parabola of the arch with a glass pedestrian walkway. The controversial decision to make the pavement with glass left the lower construction skeleton visible, that is, the framework that supports the walkway. This effect, at least before the modifications carried out by the council, was more evident at night thanks to the artificial lighting. In addition, the two ends of the walkway have structures that house ramps and stairs to descend to street level.
The first controversy broke out when the people of Bilbao verified how slippery its glass surface was. And glass did not seem like the most suitable material for paving it, especially if we take into account the high average number of rainy days in the Basque population. Thus, given the frequent falls of citizens, the council tested different systems to prevent more slips, such as applying non-slip strips or replacing the tiles with others made with special glass. Finally, it was decided to cover the entire width of the walkway with a non-slip carpet.
Parallel to the first slips, the people of Bilbao discovered to their surprise that some of the original tiles were broken. Once the vandalism hypothesis was ruled out, they understood that the damage was due to a construction problem.