Construction of a new bus terminal at the north side of the Amsterdam Central Station changes what used to be the quiet back side into a traffic zone, that’s just as busy as the city center side. The station acquires a truly central position.

To accommodate more traffic, the existing bridges linking the three artificial islands on which the station stands had to be replaced by wider connections, with separate lanes for cars and bikes. Safer, but also an opportunity to let the design show that these are bridges that cross the water from island to island. On the harbor side pedestrian and bike paths are marked with arched bridges with a curved deck. Seen from the harbor, arches and curves make it apparent that these are genuine bridges. For pedestrians and bikers this is also a physical experience.

Modest size and careful detailing turn these functional bridges into urban objects that blend in with the furnishing of the surrounding public space.