urb-x hollow box system bridge in Basel, Switzerland

Standardised modular system for bridge superstructures

urb-x hollow box system bridge in Basel, Switzerland

Standardised modular system for bridge superstructures

urb-x offers a standardised, high quality modular system, compliant with Eurocode 5 for cycling and pedestrian bridge superstructures. We flexibly configure and execute your bridge project with any routing and column setup, without a lengthy design process.

What is the urb-x system?

Railing, lighting and drainage

Our system includes drainage solutions, railings in various designs and materials as well as lighting solutions in different options compliant with customer requirements and respective local norms.

urb-x system element: railing

Slab and deck layer

Depending on the project's needs and local norms, we offer, timber, steel, or carbon-reinforced concrete (CPC) slabs finished with a protective and durable deck layer e.g. with epoxy resin coating or asphalt.

urb-x system element: slab and deck layer variant

Support structure

To flexibly match requirement in span and construction height, we offer high-quality glulam and CLT block girders in different variants. The urb-x system supports both Gerber and single-span configurations, resting on industry-grade elastomeric bearings that seamlessly integrate with all column types.

urb-x system element: load bearing structure, block module

Optional add-ons

To optimise the life cycle of your bridge, we offer add-on solutions for surface heating, traffic sensoring, predictive maintenance or photovoltaic panels.

urb-x system element: optional add-ons, predictive maintenance and moisture detection

Railing, lighting and drainage

Our system includes drainage solutions, railings in various designs and materials as well as lighting solutions in different options compliant with customer requirements and respective local norms.

urb-x system element: railing

Slab and deck layer

Depending on the project's needs and local norms, we offer, timber, steel, or carbon-reinforced concrete (CPC) slabs finished with a protective and durable deck layer e.g. with epoxy resin coating or asphalt.

urb-x system element: slab and deck layer variant

Support structure

To flexibly match requirement in span and construction height, we offer high-quality glulam and CLT block girders in different variants. The urb-x system supports both Gerber and single-span configurations, resting on industry-grade elastomeric bearings that seamlessly integrate with all column types.

Optional add-ons

To optimise the life cycle of your bridge, we offer add-on solutions for surface heating, traffic sensoring, predictive maintenance or photovoltaic panels.

urb-x system element: optional add-ons, predictive maintenance and moisture detection

Railing, lighting and drainage

Our system includes drainage solutions, railings in various designs and materials as well as lighting solutions in different options compliant with customer requirements and respective local norms.

Slab and deck layer

Depending on the project's needs and local norms, we offer, timber, steel, or carbon-reinforced concrete (CPC) slabs finished with a protective and durable deck layer e.g. with epoxy resin coating or asphalt.

Support structure

To flexibly match requirement in span and construction height, we offer high-quality glulam and CLT block girders in different variants. The urb-x system supports both Gerber and single-span configurations, resting on industry-grade elastomeric bearings that seamlessly integrate with all column types.

Optional add-ons

To optimise the life cycle of your bridge, we offer add-on solutions for surface heating, traffic sensoring, predictive maintenance or photovoltaic panels.

Download system overview
Download system overview

MODULE TYPES

Three module types, for any superstructure design

Three module types, for any superstructure design

Every project comes with unique constraints regarding dimensions, budget, and functional requirements. The urb-x system allows for straightforward customisation while keeping the design process fast and efficient.

Every project comes with unique constraints regarding dimensions, budget, and functional requirements.

The urb-x system allows for straightforward customisation while keeping the design process fast and efficient.

Long-span
Trough girder
Our most heavy duty module with maximum clearance and minimum installation height of just 0.5m, suitable for spans up to 35m and higher using customized dimensioning.
Long-span module type with steel slab and epoxid surface coating
Glulam, structural timber
Light
Box girder
Standard
Block girder

BENEFITS

Efficient and circular construction

The urb-x system design offers an optimised sustainable solution for cycling and pedestrian infrastructure.

Predictable lifecycle costs

Standardised design for manufacture and assembly principles and optimisations for low maintenance

Reduced carbon footprint

Timber modules from European forestry with efficient production lowers embodied carbon footprint

50–70% faster construction time

Compared to conventional construction, optimised schedules and less weather dependence

100% reusable

Modules are fully deconstructable and can be replaced or re-used

Less site disruption

Avoid unnecessary traffic disruptions, construction site noise and worker accidents

100 years service life

Load bearing modules verified by test engineer Harrer Ingenieure, according to EN 1990

OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE

Predictable lifecycle costs

Our system delivers a verified 100-year service life with conventional bridge operations and an optimised maintenance regime for low, predictable lifecycle costs.

Operations

  • Accessibility with common service vehicles

  • Cleaning and snow clearing straightforward as on conventional bridges

  • Integrated drainage system for rainwater management

Maintenance

  • Predictable maintenance cost of ~1% p.a.

  • Low risk replacement and repair of elements, no vendor lock-in to urb-x

  • Wearing parts (bearings, deck use layers) designed for scheduled replacement

Inspections seamlessly fit into standard national routines (e.g. DIN 1076), requiring no specialised maintenance procedures. For real-time condition monitoring, a predictive maintenance system can be added.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Our kit-of-parts parameters

Maximum span range

35 m

35 m

Minimum width

2.5 m

2.5 m

Structural height

0.5 - 1.4 m

0.5 - 1.4 m

Beam materials

PEFC & FSC-certified timber (Glulam, CLT, solid wood)

PEFC & FSC-certified timber (Glulam, CLT, solid wood)

Structural configuration

Single-span or Gerber system

Single-span or Gerber system

Design service life

100 years*

100 years*

Load classification

8t service vehicle, 12t incidental (EN 1991-2)

8t service vehicle, 12t incidental (EN 1991-2)

Maintenance costs

~1% p.a. of construction value*

~1% p.a. of construction value*

Dismantling and re-use

Modules fully deconstructable with bolt system

Modules fully deconstructable with bolt system

Norms and standards
Eurocode compliance
DIN compliance
DIN compliance
HOAI compliance, German standards
SIA compliance, swiss standards
FGSV, ERA compliance
VSS compliance Switzerland
ZTV ING norms compliance, Germany
IFC Bridge compliant, BIM

* Verified externally by test engineer Harrer Ingenieure, documentation available upon request.

Sustainability

Low CO2, less waste and biobased material

Low embodied carbon

In the production stage (A1–A3), urb-x timber urb-x timber superstructures cause considerably lower embodied CO2e emissions per m² than conventional steel and concrete bridges. Depending on module type and slab/surface, our superstructure causes <200 kg CO2e per m² of usable bridge surface.

European timber

On average, our modules can store between 260-640 kg CO2e per m² of usable bridge surface. urb-x provides full transparency on its timber supply chain and uses PEFC- and FSC-certified European timber products from our partner Hasslacher Norica Timber coming from sustainably managed forests in Austria and Slovenia.

Biobased circular design

The urb-x system is built to be dismantled and reused, while damaged deck or railing elements can be replaced individually. By leveraging timber, urb-x offers a truly circular solution for the future of biobased construction.

Less material waste

Due to standardization, efficient planning and prefabrication, the urb-x system produces less material waste compared to traditional on-site construction of bridges.

urb-x will help you turn your bridge project into a sustainable asset. Through continuous optimisation, our system guarantees a significantly lower CO2 footprint than conventional structures.

We provide lifecycle assessment (LCA) data in accordance with EN 15643:2021 and EN 17472:2022 upon request. If you require a detailed, project-specific LCA, please contact us.

Plan & build with urb-x

Realising your project, together

Realising your project, together

Installation of hollow box beam on Basel project urb-x

urb-x is your system supplier for modular timber bridge superstructures. Additionally, we bring our modular construction know-how into your project early, where the decisions that matter are made.

Flexible Procurement

Three routes work well for the procurement of an optimized modular system:

  • Direct award (within national public tender thresholds)

  • Design & Build (functional tenders)

  • Supplier or subcontractor (for contractors or private developers)


Flexible Procurement

Three routes work well for the procurement of an optimized modular system:

  • Direct award (within national public tender thresholds)

  • Design & Build (functional tenders)

  • Supplier or subcontractor (for contractors or private developers)

Proven Execution Network

We work with trusted partners for design, engineering and construction with one point of contact for the whole bridge. Local construction work stays with firms that know local standards and practice.

Public sector

We offer your municipality, regional authority or inhouse engineering department solution-neutral support in early project phases:

  • Early concept designs and feasibility studies

  • Project and cost estimations

  • Visualisations

Planners

We support you throughout your planning work, the planning mandate stays with you:

  • Technical documentation

  • Cross-sections

  • 3D models and detailed information

  • Contribution to feasibility studies

Contractors & developers

We join your project as a supplier or subcontractor, providing everything required to make your bid successful:

  • Tender and bidding support

  • Indicative offer within five working days

  • Superstructure supply (with optional assembly) at fixed price

  • Logistics concepts

Require a quotation or design options for your project?

Require a quotation or design options for your project?

Request information or quotation