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Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge
Bridge in Randa, Switzerland From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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At the time of its opening in July 2017, the Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge was the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world.[1] It is located in Randa, Switzerland and replaced the defunct Europabrücke, which had been damaged by a rock slide.[1][2] The bridge is part of the Europaweg.[3]
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History
The bridge officially opened on 29 July 2017, drawing a crowd of around 250 to 300 attendees, including local residents and tourists.[1] It was named after Charles Kuonen, a psychologist and co-owner of a Swiss winery, who contributed as the primary private sponsor of the project.[2][4] The event also marked the reopening of the Europaweg trail segment, a popular high-altitude hiking route between Grächen and Zermatt.[1][3]
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Design and Construction
The Charles Kuonen Bridge is a hanging-type suspension bridge that measures 494 metres in length and 65 centimetres in width, suspended up to 85 metres above the Grabengufer ravine in the Mattertal valley near Randa, Switzerland.[1][4] The bridge is constructed using steel cables that weigh a total of eight tonnes, and incorporates a specialized oscillation damping system designed to minimize swaying under wind or pedestrian load.[1]
Its deck consists of transparent wire mesh grating, allowing hikers to look directly down into the ravine below.[1][4] The bridge remains stable in use, despite its narrow width of 65 centimetres.[4]
The bridge was built over a period of approximately two and a half months by the Swiss company Swissrope, using specialized assembly sleds.[1][4] The project was coordinated in part by a local councilor in Randa.[1]
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See also
- Arouca 516
- Europa Hut, located around 500 metres (1,600 ft) northeast of the bridge
- List of notable pedestrian bridges
- Swiss Alps
References
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