The Flâneur d'Or, awarded by Pedestrian Mobility Switzerland with the support of the Federal Roads Office, recognizes exemplary pedestrian projects in Switzerland.
The Payerne footbridge crosses the Broye river with a single span of 36 m. The static scheme of the footbridge corresponds to one beam with both ends fixed. The two guardrails are made of perforated Corten steel plates and they work as primary beams. These lateral girders are connected at their bottom by the deck's stiffeners. Their upper flanges act as handrails and bear the impact forces on the guardrails.
The layout of voids in the guardrails follows the path of the internal forces of the structure. The setting-out of this complex pattern was made possible by the digital cutting technology. The design of the footbridge led to an economy of material and it is expression of a great rationality.