Gigantic and Yet Delicate – the Sunniberg Bridge

Relatively young yet already considered a monument, the Sunniberg Bridge near Klosters is a striking piece of engineering. Like the Landwasser Viaduct, the crown jewel of the Albula railway line, this road bridge follows a curve and leads directly into a tunnel. However, there is a considerable distance between the two structures, both geographically and in terms of their construction: the viaduct was completed in 1903, while the Sunniberg Bridge opened to road traffic in 2005.

So, what qualifies the Sunniberg Bridge as a monument? First, there are the architectural aspects. Spanning approximately half a kilometre, the bridge integrates harmoniously into the landscape around Klosters. Its four slender piers rise like sculptures, and the suspension cables between the pylons and the deck form harp-like shapes.

Second, the bridge’s monumental status derives from its structural engineering. Bridges over 100 metres long typically require joints or transition structures to accommodate changes in length caused by temperature fluctuations, among other factors. However, the Sunniberg Bridge – designed primarily by Chur-based engineer Christian Menn –requires no such elements. Instead, its curved design absorbs longitudinal displacements. This makes the bridge not only a visual masterpiece but also an extraordinary feat of engineering.