DesignInc, together with heritage architects Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (TZG), developed a concept for a new 36-metre pedestrian bridge which connects the public with its local station.

Respecting the heritage values of the Blue Mountains Village and Station Group, its primary value lies in accessibility. That is, ensuring people of all abilities can safely cross the highway and access the railway station via ramps, elevator or stairs.

The resulting design, adopting contemporary curved steel which reflects the mysterious weather phenomenon known as ‘phantom falls’ which occurs on escarpments atop the Megalong Valley escarpment, forms part of the tourist journey to and from the Hydro Majestic and traverses across a widened Great Western Highway.

Clémence Carayol from Architecture & Design sits down with DesignInc Transport Principals Garth Davies and Megan Walker to discuss the project, its genesis and completion.

Medlow Bath Station and Footbridge 5.jpg

Architecture & Design: Can you describe the initial vision for this project and how it evolved over time?

Transport Principal Garth Davies: We were brought in to take a fresh look at the project, with a particular focus on strengthening the connection to the site’s heritage. That meant looking beyond just the State Heritage-listed Medlow Bath Station to also consider the nearby Hydro Majestic and the broader Blue Mountains landscape, including its UNESCO World Heritage listing.

While the main objective under the NSW Government’s Transport Access Program was to improve safety and accessibility for the station, we saw an opportunity to design something more contextual – something that responded to both place and movement.

Early in the process, we identified that part of the originally proposed bridge could be removed by reusing the existing rail bridge, which allowed us to rethink the structure across the highway as a less intrusive, more refined form. We worked closely with GHD to realise that vision.

Our initial design featured long, curved ramps on either side of the highway, intended to float over the road and evoke the local “phantom falls” weather phenomenon. But site constraints on the western side meant we had to replace the ramp with a lift and stair.

That shift ended up being beneficial; it improved usability and created a moment where the bridge circles the lift tower, revealing a rare view of the Megalong Valley.

Throughout, we remained conscious of the cultural, environmental, and tourism value of the area, and worked to ensure the design felt respectful, functional and connected to its surroundings.

Medlow Bath Station and Footbridge 3.jpg

What were the biggest challenges you faced during the design and construction phases, and how did you overcome them?

Garth Davies: One of our main design ambitions was to keep the bridge as light and minimal as possible, something that felt like it was floating over the road.

Our early sketches imagined a structure without any columns at all. While a single column was eventually introduced for support, we worked hard to ensure the rest of the structure was either tied back into the lift core or subtly connected to the ground.

The complexity of building such a refined and technically demanding structure on a constrained site brought plenty of challenges. Arenco, the builder, played a key role in solving those issues (both large and small) throughout construction.

To maintain the clarity of the design, we carefully integrated lighting into the handrails rather than adding poles, ran services through the internal box beam, and concealed gutters beneath the deck. Every detail was considered to keep the bridge as clean and elegant as possible.

Medlow Bath Station and Footbridge 4.jpg

How did you ensure that the project met the client’s needs and expectations?

Transport Principal Megan Walker: It was a very collaborative process. We had regular and open dialogue with Transport for NSW, and their strong support to achieve something special – especially from the project team – was critical throughout. GHD, as structural engineers, helped push the design technically, while our close coordination with Arenco ensured that the vision was buildable. It was a team effort right from the start.

Medlow Bath Station and Footbridge 2.jpg

Were there any unique or innovative techniques or materials used in this project?

Garth Davies: Yes – several. We used a fine tensile mesh for the bridge screens, which provides a high level of visibility while still meeting safety requirements. The bride screens are supported on high-quality, durable stainless steel posts, which is not the standard approach for Transport for NSW bridges. The deck itself is a fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite, which offered multiple advantages over concrete: it’s lighter, non-slip even in icy conditions, and more durable in a setting like this.

Medlow Bath Station and Footbridge 1.jpg

How does this project fit into your broader portfolio and design philosophy?

Megan Walker: This project reflects our belief in tailoring every design to its specific place and context; there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. We value collaboration, and working alongside TZG, GHD, and Arenco – as well as listening to community feedback – was central to the process.

For us, success lies in delivering something that responds to both people and place, and leaves a lasting positive legacy. Medlow Bath Station and Footbridge adds to our broader body of public and transport infrastructure work, which we see as some of the most meaningful contributions we can make as architects and designers.

Medlow Bath Station and Footbridge 3.jpg

Medlow Bath Station and Footbridge 2.jpg

Medlow Bath Station and Footbridge 5.jpg

Medlow Bath Station and Footbridge 4.jpg

Medlow Bath Station and Footbridge 1.jpg

Let's Connect!

Let’s connect!