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Aerial view of Vëlodukt
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Aerial view of Vëlodukt
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Section suspended by gantries to preserve an existing tree line
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Vëlodukt, the section suspended by gantries and alcoves (to preserve an existing tree line)
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A cycle path that is alive both day and night, featuring a playful stretch at tree canopy level
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View by night
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Schematic diagram of the Vëlodukt
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Plan of the ramps in the Belval side of the park
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Elevation, sections and plan of the ramps in the Esch side park
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Elevation, cross-sections and plan of the current section and plot
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Cross-sections and plan of the section with gantries
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Drawings by Nico Thurm - Design
Esch-Belval Cycle Path (PC8)
Jim Clemes Associates, TR-Engineering, Mersch Ingénieurs-Paysagistes. Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
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Name of work in English
Esch-Belval Cycle Path (PC8)
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Name of work in original language
Vëlodukt / Esch-Belval / Luxembourg
Prize year
EUmies Awards 2026
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Work Location
Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
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Studio
Jim Clemes Associates, TR-Engineering, Mersch Ingénieurs-Paysagistes
EUmies Awards 2026 Nominees
The Vëlodukt creates a direct, high-quality cycling link between Esch-sur-Alzette and Belval University district. Spanning 1.2 km, it is Europe’s longest pedestrian and bicycle bridge, with a width of 4.5 m and suspended at 7.5 m, fully accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Program
Infrastructure
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Labels
Bridge · Elevators & Scalators
Site area
27000 m²
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Client
Administration des Ponts et Chaussées – Division des Ouvrages d’Art
Total gross floor
8000 m²
The Vëlodukt was designed to fit into a narrow space between the ArcelorMittal site and the railway tracks, requiring careful planning. Its elevated position offers unique views of the landscape, while its weathering steel structure ensures durability, low maintenance, and harmony with the industrial surroundings. Each section of the bridge is designed to reflect the identity of the area it crosses.
The development of the Vëlodukt faced numerous technical and spatial constraints. The route had to be integrated into a very limited space between the ArcelorMittal site and the railway tracks, requiring meticulous planning to ensure safe construction. Further complications were met with the presence of existing infrastructures, restricted-access areas, and a subsoil of poor quality containing underground galleries. These conditions required the design of special foundations to ensure stability while avoiding the existing underground structures. In addition, preserving an imposing row of trees along one section of the route posed another major challenge, leading to the innovative solution of suspending the bridge from gantries to protect the landscape. Overall, the structure embodies a balance between engineering precision, sustainable material choice, and contextual sensitivity, ensuring resilience, minimal upkeep, and visual continuity across its entire length.
The Vëlodukt’s structure is entirely made of weathering steel, a material selected for its durability, low maintenance requirements, and ability to blend harmoniously with the industrial landscape of Belval. Its use ensures a long lifespan with minimal environmental impact and maintenance costs. The bridge extends over 1.2 km with a circulation width of 4.5 m and a height of 7.5 m, combining structural efficiency with aesthetic quality. In one section, the presence of a remarkable row of trees required an innovative suspended structure supported by gantries, slightly offset toward the railway tracks to preserve the natural setting. This technical solution not only protected the landscape but also enhanced the bridge’s architectural identity. The project integrates green areas at both ends, promoting a soft transition to the urban fabric and reinforcing its environmental value.