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.