Hovenring in Eindhoven, Netherlands
Named after the surrounding areas of Eindhoven, Veldhoven, and Meerhoven, the Netherlands' Hovenring gained international attention for being the first of its kind: a bridge, specifically designed as a cyclist and pedestrian roundabout, suspended above roads connecting surrounding neighborhoods to the inner city. At night, the bridge is illuminated, providing light to traffic on the bridge and vehicles on the roads below. The idea for the bridge started in 2008 when city planners noticed that new housing developments in the area would lead to heavier traffic. As a result, the existing roundabout would no longer suffice. Instead of simply creating a bridge to separate cyclist and pedestrian traffic from road traffic, the municipality sought a symbol for Eindhoven. The hope was to highlight its identity as a city of lights. The Dutch corporation Philips, which was once a leading lightbulb manufacturer, was founded in Eindhoven. The bridge was built in 2011 and opened to the public in 2012.
Named after the surrounding areas of Eindhoven, Veldhoven, and Meerhoven, the Netherlands' Hovenring gained international attention for being the first of its kind: a bridge, specifically designed as a cyclist and pedestrian roundabout, suspended above roads connecting surrounding neighborhoods to the inner city. At night, the bridge is illuminated, providing light to traffic on the bridge and vehicles on the roads below.
The idea for the bridge started in 2008 when city planners noticed that new housing developments in the area would lead to heavier traffic. As a result, the existing roundabout would no longer suffice. Instead of simply creating a bridge to separate cyclist and pedestrian traffic from road traffic, the municipality sought a symbol for Eindhoven. The hope was to highlight its identity as a city of lights. The Dutch corporation Philips, which was once a leading lightbulb manufacturer, was founded in Eindhoven.
The bridge was built in 2011 and opened to the public in 2012.
