New York, NY – Copenhagen’s City Council has voted in favor of moving forward with the Inderhavn (Inner Harbor) Bridges project. Hardesty & Hanover teamed with Flint & Neill and Studio Bednarski to win the prestigious international competition in Copenhagen to create a new pedestrian bridge over the City’s Inner Harbor. The team, which includes the firm of Speirs and Major Associates for lighting design, triumphed over an outstanding field of nine other international bridge design groups. Scheduled for completion in 2012, the bridge will be a striking gateway to the City’s new opera house for its citizens and visitors.

The structural design has been nicknamed the Kissing Bridge because of how the two moving halves of the structure retract and extend longitudinally on support rails to join in the middle. This unique structure of sliding sections ascends into position to create an impression of floating over the Inner Harbor. The bridge has been designed so as not to interrupt views across and along the waterway. Besides its low profile, pedestrians and cyclists can stop and enjoy Copenhagen’s waterfront from the two horizontal viewing platforms at the edge of the navigation channel. This creates a unique experience for all, whether the bridge is open or closed.

Commenting on the winning design, the competition’s jury stated: “The bridge across the Inner Harbour basin is surprisingly innovative in its interpretation of the bridge motif: A clear, simplified perception of the bridge as movement and function in one. When the bridge is used, this will be expressed by the horizontal meeting of the quay edges.”

According to Hardesty & Hanover Lead Mechanization Engineer and Chief Development Officer, Paul M. Skelton, PE, “We are extremely privileged to be part of the team selected to design this iconic structure for the community of Copenhagen. From the beginning, working with Flint & Neill and Cezary Bednarski, Hardesty & Hanover was impressed by the firms’ creativity and commitment to deliver the right solution for this location. It is an historic opportunity.”