Schaufelschlucht Bridge by Marte.Marte Architects is second in trio of Alpine structures
This arching concrete bridge is the second of three structures designed by Austrian studio Marte.Marte Architects for a winding mountain road between two Alpine towns (+ slideshow).
![Schaufelschlucht Bridge](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Schaufelschlucht_Bridge_by_Marte_Marte_dezeen_468_16.jpg)
The Schaufelschlucht Bridge sits high above the river that runs down through the Schanerloch gorge – one of several valleys that crosses the route between the Austrian city of Dornbirn and the hamlet of Ebnit to the south.
![Schaufelschlucht Bridge](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Schaufelschlucht_Bridge_by_Marte_Marte_dezeen_468_18.jpg)
The cast-concrete structure was designed by Marte.Marte Architects as an arch that curves gently to one side to lead from an open road to a tunnel carved right through the mountain.
![Schaufelschlucht Bridge](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Schaufelschlucht_Bridge_by_Marte_Marte_dezeen_468_13.jpg)
It spans a length of 16.5 metres and has an overall width of five metres.
![Schaufelschlucht Bridge](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Schaufelschlucht_Bridge_by_Marte_Marte_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
"The twisting and tapering of the bridge on the valley side gives a clear idea of the structural capabilities of the arch shape, while its counterpart on the Ebnit side withstands the dynamic force of the water, which has carved a deep gorge in the rock face over the course of thousands of years," explained the architects.
![Schaufelschlucht Bridge](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Schaufelschlucht_Bridge_by_Marte_Marte_dezeen_468_7.jpg)
Completed in 2012, the Schaufelschlucht Bridge follows the Schanerloch Bridge – built in 2005 across another gorge in the mountain landscape.
![Schaufelschlucht Bridge](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Schaufelschlucht_Bridge_by_Marte_Marte_dezeen_468_10.jpg)
"The Schaufelschlucht Bridge has been integrated into the tremendous natural surroundings just as naturally and impressively as the Schanerloch Bridge before it," said Marte.Marte Architects.
![Schaufelschlucht Bridge](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Schaufelschlucht_Bridge_by_Marte_Marte_dezeen_468_11.jpg)
"The bridge's concrete parapets escort motorists and give them a sense of safety as they cross the roaring, rain-swollen waters, and the solidity and equilibrium of the homogeneous structure make it seem invincible and built for eternity," added the team.
![Schaufelschlucht Bridge](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Schaufelschlucht_Bridge_by_Marte_Marte_dezeen_468_3.jpg)
The third bridge is yet to complete, but will also be built from concrete and will be the straightest of the three structures.
![Schaufelschlucht Bridge](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Schaufelschlucht_Bridge_by_Marte_Marte_dezeen_468_17.jpg)
Photography is by Marc Lins.
![Schaufelschlucht Bridge](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Schaufelschlucht_Bridge_by_Marte_Marte_dezeen_2.gif)