Ney & Partners wins design competition for a movable bridge, Bremerhaven (DE)

As part of the Werftquartier’s transformation from an industrial site to a residential district, the city of Bremerhaven launched a competition for a new bridge for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport, linking the area to the city center. Ney & Partners, Panta Ingenieure, and TAS proposed the winning design that combines functionality, heritage conservation, and symbolic urban renewal. Located in a historically significant area, the project preserves the adjacent quay walls and crane rails while reinterpreting the site’s industrial character in a contemporary form. To the south, the bridge extends the axes of the double slipway and frames Bremerhaven’s skyline. To the north, its V-shaped form interacts with historic cranes. From east and west, it reads as a slender obelisk—both a gateway and a landmark. Inspired by the Dutch drawbridge, the structure features a hydraulically rotating V-shaped counterweight beam that lifts the deck. Counterweights reduce energy use, “green steel” cuts CO₂ emissions, and straightforward mechanics keep maintenance low. Copyright image: Ney & Partners – Panta Ingenieure