A Groundbreaking Achievement in Rinsdorf, Germany
Enjoyable Debut: Grand Unveiling
In an extraordinary feat of engineering, a 40,000-tonne bridge segment on the A 45 highway at Rinsdorf has been skillfully maneuvered sideways and docked to an already operational second segment. The nearly 500-meter long and approximately 72-meter high bridge was successfully installed on Wednesday afternoon (4.6.2025).
A Revolutionary Technique, Unprecedented in Scale
Autobahn GmbH hailed this as an innovative technique, unheard of on such a grand scale nationwide. Elfriede Sauerwein-Braksiek, the director of the Westphalia branch, celebrated it as a remarkable milestone and an "extraordinary engineering triumph." With numerous bridges on the A45, dubbed the "queen of highways," requiring renovation due to aging, this method may become the standard solution, as suggested by the technical manager, Dirk Brandenburger, at the site.
Sideways Shift Commenced on Tuesday
The colossal concrete and steel structure on the Sauerland line was ever so slowly shifted sideways, its foundation and mammoth six pillars included, from Tuesday morning (3.6.2025). The bridge, along with its supporting pillars, was nudged centimeter by centimeter, covering a distance of exactly 20 meters and 59 centimeters. During this meticulous sideways shift, traffic continued uninterrupted on the second segment. Before the shift began, the heavy bridge pillars were gently elevated by two centimeters. Twenty-four hydraulic pushing presses were employed on the pillars, and Teflon plates were inserted as a smooth sliding surface. For approximately 20 hours, the bridge moved almost effortlessly, following a track-like path, as described by the Autobahn GmbH.
Explosion of the Old Valley Bridge
The single-part Rinsdorf bridge, dating back to 1967, was demolished about three years prior. Prior to the explosion, a new construction had to be built alongside the original to maintain traffic flow. This completed segment is where the second bridge segment was transferred to on Wednesday, achieving its final position. (dpa)
While the term "sideways bridge shifting method" may not be widely recognized, the method it refers to shares similarities with the mechanism of swing bridges. Swing bridges are movable bridges that rotate horizontally, allowing for the passage of water vessels while maintaining road or rail traffic across a waterway.
Swing bridges have a storied history, evolving from older bridge designs like truss and cantilever bridges with a pivot point for horizontal rotation. They were developed to address the need for movable bridges to accommodate both maritime and terrestrial traffic. Early examples of swing bridges were designed to facilitate river and canal crossings while allowing ships to pass.
Swing bridges offer several advantages:
- Flexibility: They can be designed to rotate at various angles, depending on the waterway's geometry, ensuring efficient navigation.
- Space Efficiency: Swing bridges don't require significant vertical clearance, making them suitable for locations where high bridges are impractical.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Compared to other types of movable bridges, swing bridges may be more cost-effective in terms of construction and maintenance.
Swing bridges are popular globally, particularly in areas with substantial water traffic. They are commonly found in regions where rivers, canals, or harbors need to be crossed while ensuring maritime vessels can pass underneath. Examples include shipping channels in the Netherlands and urban areas where they help maintain traffic flow while allowing larger vessels to pass through.
Developing the sideways bridge shifting method in Rinsdorf, Germany showcases innovation in engineering, drawing parallels to the mechanism of swing bridges, which rotate horizontally to allow for the passage of water vessels. Swing bridges, like the one used in this groundbreaking achievement, offer flexibility, space efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, making them popular globally, particularly in areas with substantial water traffic.
