ZAGREB / SPLIT, Croatia – March 7, 2026 – The winning proposal for the international competition to design a new bridge across the Kaštela Bay has been awarded to Croatian architecture studio 3LHD in collaboration with Slovenian bridge design experts from Pipenbaher Consulting Engineers.
The decision was made by an expert jury as part of a competition commissioned by Hrvatske ceste, the Croatian national road authority.
A New Maritime Gateway and Skyline Landmark
The 1.6-kilometre bridge will connect the city of Split with the town of Kaštela, creating a vital new transport link toward Trogir, Split Airport, and the A1 motorway.
The structure is conceived as a cable-stayed bridge with two slender pylons and a 400-metre main span, clearly defining the navigation corridor and forming a recognisable maritime gateway to the future international port of Split.
Its architectural identity is defined by the 157-metre-high pylons, inspired by the crystalline structure of Dalmatian limestone, the characteristic building material of the Adriatic coast. Rising from the sea and converging above the deck into a distinctive silhouette, the pylons will become one of the tallest structural elements in Croatia and a new spatial landmark within the Kaštela Bay.
Rooted in sustainable construction principles, the project design incorporates a significant share of local fabrication and assembly. Steel bridge sections can be fabricated at the nearby Split shipyard, while concrete elements would be sourced from production facilities in Kaštela, drastically reducing transport emissions while supporting the regional industry.
Infrastructure as Public Space Above the Sea
Moving beyond its primary function of carrying four traffic lanes, the bridge is thoughtfully designed as an elevated public space. The pedestrian and cycling paths are functionally sunken below the traffic deck, protecting users from noise and wind while providing uninterrupted, panoramic views of the city and the surrounding archipelago.
This route is envisioned as an elevated recreational promenade, featuring four widened viewing platforms. These spaces are designed to function as gathering points for citizens, serving as prime vantage points during sailing regattas, sporting events, and public celebrations.
Speaking on the architectural concept, Marko Dabrović, partner at 3LHD, stated:
“We approached the bridge as a new spatial axis and an important catalyst for the development of northern Split and Kaštela. It is an infrastructure that simultaneously becomes a public space.
The slender pylons form new urban gateways, while the lowered promenade with viewing points transforms the bridge into a recreational route and a new public place above the sea.”
Regarding the structural concept, Marjan Pipenbaher, CEO of Pipenbaher Consulting Engineers, added:
“Structurally, this is a highly demanding and innovative bridge project. The slender pylons and cable-stayed system enable the 400-metre main span while maintaining a clear and elegant silhouette.
Special attention was devoted to ensuring the seismic resistance of the structure and the aerodynamic stability of the bridge under conditions of strong, gusting high-speed winds.”
3LHD
3LHD is a prominent Croatian architecture studio known for projects that seamlessly connect architecture, urbanism, and design to shape contemporary public spaces and infrastructure. Pipenbaher Consulting Engineers are internationally recognized bridge designers specializing in long-span bridges, with a broad range of references, including the Pelješac Bridge in Croatia.
The Kaštela Bay Bridge is envisioned as a restrained architectural gesture that respects the horizontal landscape of the bay, while its slender and refined form holds the potential to become a new recognizable icon for Split and the Dalmatian coast.
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Kaštela Bay Bridge, Croatia – Building Information
Textual description: Kaštela Bay Bridge
The new bridge over the Kaštela Bay represents a key infrastructure project for the wider Split area. Spanning 1,600 meters, the bridge connects the Split peninsula with Kaštela. Simultaneously, the project initiates the transformation of the bay’s northern shore. An area characterized for decades by military and industrial infrastructure is now gaining the potential to develop into a new urban facade for the city.
Situated at the northern approach to Split, the bridge defines a new entry point into the city. For many visitors arriving from the direction of the airport or Trogir, it represents their first spatial encounter with the urban fabric and the Kaštela Bay.
Due to this strategic position, the project is designed as a distinct, recognizable structure that forms a maritime gateway and establishes a completely new silhouette for the northern coast.
The visual identity of the bridge is centered on two slender pylons, 157 meters in height, which serve as iconic elements within the bay. Their faceted form is a direct reinterpretation of the crystalline structure of Dalmatian limestone—the foundational material of Diocletian’s Palace and Split’s historic core. In this way, the modern engineering structure establishes a powerful dialogue with the local architectural heritage.
Pedestrian and bicycle paths, positioned on the outer sides of the bridge, are intentionally lowered below the level of the main roadway. This design creates a protected corridor directly above the sea, insulated from engine noise, wind, and exhaust fumes. Expanded zones near the pylons function as panoramic viewpoints and gathering spots.
Consequently, crossing the bay ceases to be a mere traffic necessity and becomes a unique spatial experience with unobstructed views of the waters and the city.
The engineering logic is based on a cable-stayed system with a central span of 400 meters. Placing the cables in a single central plane allows for an exceptionally slender deck construction and a visually clean silhouette. This configuration ensures high structural efficiency, clearly defines the navigation channel, and protects the sensitive landscape of the Kaštela Bay from visual clutter.
Architecture: 3LHD – https://www.3lhd.com/hr/
Author: 3LHD architects
Kaštela Bay Bridge in Croatia images / information received 080326 from 3LHD Architects
3LHD : Architect Profile
Location: Kaštela Bay Bridge, Split, Croatia, southeast Europe.
