Passerelle Zwolle- Europe's largest wooden pedestrian bridge, creates a green connection

Zwolle can be proud of the Passerelle: a sustainable wooden bridge, 130 metres long, 10 metres wide and 7 metres high. Like a park in the sky, the Passerelle connects the city centre with the Railway Zone.

Client: Gemeente Zwolle , ProRail
Landscape architect: Karres en Brands, Ipv Delft, Miebach
Location: Zwolle

Experience the Passerelle

The new pedestrian bridge is a park in the sky, a wonderful place to spend time. The bridge is open and easy to navigate, with several walking routes. Those in a hurry take the direct route to the bus, work or school. Those who want to linger will find resting spots with benches along the way.

The S-shape, wooden structure and park-like design give the bridge a warm feel. In addition to benches, there is a water feature with seating in the middle of the bridge. There are beautiful viewpoints overlooking the city and the railway station. The trees, shrubs and flower beds promote biodiversity, making the bridge a pleasant place for people and wildlife alike. The bridge brings Zwolle one step closer to its ambition of becoming the greenest station in the Netherlands.

Accessibility

The bridge is a pedestrian area where cyclists are welcome as guests. Cyclists can use the bridge by walking alongside their bike. Lifts are available on both sides and at the bus station, making the bridge accessible for people with limited mobility or wheelchair users. Bicycles can also be taken into the lift.

Design and construction

Three design firms worked together with the municipality of Zwolle and ProRail on the design of this sustainable footbridge:

Karres en Brands – landscape architecture and park design
Ipv Delft – bridge design and structural engineering
Miebach – structural engineering firm from Germany

The bridge was built by Dura Vermeer. Van Gelder and Donker Groen were responsible for the construction and landscaping.

Custom benches Grijsen park en straatdesign collaborated with Karres en Brands on the design, production and installation of the benches on the Passerelle. The benches follow the planting layout and the S-shape of the bridge.

The creators of the Passerelle

The municipality of Zwolle made videos about ‘The creators of the Passerelle’ in which they pay tribute to the designers of the new footbridge, the Passerelle. This video is about the bridge’s design.

Ready for the future

The Passerelle is more than a connection between two parts of the city. On the bridge, people come together, meet by the water feature or on a bench, and enjoy the views over the city. Built sustainably, designed with nature in mind and warm in character — the Passerelle is a new piece of Zwolle where everyone is welcome.