OMA Triumphs in Lyon Bridge Competition with Harmonious Transit Crossing

OMA has emerged victorious in the design competition for a new bridge over the Saône River in Lyon. Part of the TEOL (Tram Express de l’Ouest Lyonnais) initiative led by SYTRAL Mobilités, this bridge will elegantly link the revitalized Confluence district to Lyon’s western bank—an area long challenged by steep terrain and limited access Designboomoma.com+9Archilovers+9World Architecture Community+9.

A Bridge of Connection & Character
Rather than choosing separate paths for public transport and pedestrians, OMA has crafted a single, integrated structure. The design features a tramway paired with a dedicated walkway for people on foot and bicycle—combining efficiency with experience Facebook+5Archilovers+5Archilovers+5.

Minimalist, Landscape-Led Design
OMA Partner Reinier de Graaf explains, “Most contemporary bridges strive to be unadulterated landmarks. Not this one,” which instead seeks to complement rather than compete with its setting—blending into the lush slopes of La Balme on one side and offering a light, almost floating presence above the Confluence’s water gardens on the other Designboom+4Archilovers+4World Architecture Community+4.

Two Terrains, One Unified Experience

• On the Confluence side, the elevated walkway hovers above native grasses, transforming the space beneath—around the former harbormaster’s building—into a welcoming civic plaza Archilovers+1Designboom+1.

• On the La Balme side, OMA revives a once-forgotten hillside path, gently reclaming the natural slope. Meanwhile, the tramway excavates through the hill in a subtle, surgical move—minimizing disruption to the landscape Facebook+6Archilovers+6Designboom+6.

Contextual Harmony & Proven Expertise
This project continues OMA’s recent legacy of transit-sensitive infrastructure in France. Their Simone Veil Bridge in Bordeaux opened in 2024 and even garnered an Équerre d’Argent award. The firm’s deep connection to Lyon’s evolution extends further, having led the Vallée de la Chimie masterplan in the region Archilovers+5Archilovers+5Designboom+5.

Crafting the Future, Grounded in Today
The collaborative team with OMA includes WSP, Devaux & Devaux architectes, and landscape firm Marco Rossi Paysagiste Archilovers+4Archilovers+4Designboom+4. The result promises a bridge that is simultaneously functional, delicate, and responsive—not a monument, but a melody within its landscape. Spanning approximately 224 m in length and 13.65 m in width, it’s tailored to embrace its environment rather than dominate it World Architecture Community+1Archilovers+1.