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4.9 Footbridge and elevators.
A wood panelled steel footbridge and an underground pedestrian walkway connect
both sides of the station and direct the slower traffic effortlessly from one side of
the city to the other. The seven metre wide footbridge is divided into two lanes,
one for pedestrians, and one for bikers. Resembling large lanterns placed on the
platforms, five glass elevator shafts draw the daylight through the canopy into the
covered space, literally setting the footbridge into the spotlight. At night, the five
lanterns are brightly lit.
Theutmostnorthernarchspans theentrances fromtheplatforms totheunderground
pedestrian walkway; the pedestrian and biker bridge runs underneath the utmost
southern arch to the station square on the other side.
The elevators run from the bridge to the platforms. The elevator shafts pierce
through the canopy, like great lanterns that mark the bridge from a distance. The
bridge is to turn the underground passage into a strong feature.
The panoramic elevators by the footbridge allow disabled people to reach the
platforms unassisted. Both create a significant nexus between city and suburbs.
Biking and walking underneath the canopy becomes a noteworthy urban and
architectural experience.
The footbridge is supported by just one pillar on each platform, which is a minimal
obstacle. The underside of the footbridge is finished in light grey profiled sheets.
These sheets are minimally curved, making the footbridge seemmore slender. The
glass parapet is made out of laminated or hardened glass.
The space allows for the installation of hydraulic elevators, which require an
elevator well of 1.20 m. The hydraulic elevator has a speed of 1 m/s.
The technical rooms are situated under the elevators. An access hatch in the
platform floor allows entrance for technical maintenance.