Bridging Terrain and Transit in lyon
OMA wins an international competition to design a new bridge in Lyon, France. The project, led by Reinier de Graaf with associate Gilles Guyot and project architect Anton Anikeev, will form a key part of the TEOL (Tram Express de l’Ouest Lyonnais) initiative by SYTRAL Mobilités, connecting the Confluence district on the eastern bank of the Saône with the steep, green slopes of La Balme to the west.
The proposal combines a tramway with a pedestrian and cyclist path in a single integrated structure. The bridge addresses both practical infrastructure needs and urban accessibility while paying close attention to its topographical and ecological context. The steep western terrain, which has historically limited development, is now the focus of densification and improved connectivity.
The OMA design avoids grand gestures and instead blends into the natural environment, offering what de Graaf describes as ‘an elegant connection between the urban waterfront and the river’s natural edge.’ Rather than asserting itself as an icon, the bridge calibrates its expression in response to the surrounding landscape, subtly different on each side of the river.
the bridge combines tram infrastructure with a pedestrian and cyclist path | visualizations © OMA & hism
oma Shapes the Crossing Experience
On the Confluence side, OMA designs the Lyon bridge to float above the water gardens, supported by a light and narrow deck that frames views of the river. The passage here acts as both a thoroughfare and a public promenade, with the space underneath reimagined as an open civic area around the historic harbormaster’s building.
Across the river, the project calls for the restoration of a forgotten path along the La Balme hillside. This former route, which once offered a natural vantage point over the Saône, will be reintroduced as part of the bridge’s integration into the landscape. The tram line, which must pass through this hilly terrain, is designed as a discreet incision into the hillside, minimizing impact on the surrounding environment.
The team at OMA is collaborating with WSP, Devaux & Devaux architectes, and Marco Rossi Paysagiste to develop the scheme. The office has prior experience in the region through its work on the Vallée de la Chimie masterplan and recently completed the Simone Veil Bridge in Bordeaux, awarded the Équerre d’Argent in 2024.
OMA avoids landmark posturing in favor of contextual precision
project info:
name: Lyon Bridge
location: Lyon, France
status: ongoing
visualizations: © OMA & hism (Diego Iacono, Stefania Trozzi)
partner: Reinier de Graaf
associate: Gilles Guyot
project architects: Anton Anikeev, Yasemin Parlar, Francois Riollot, Suet Ying Yuen
engineering: WSP
heritage specialist: DDA
landscape architects: MRP
lighting design: Les Eclaireurs
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