Pien Niehe
Europe Press Office,Amsterdam
The Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management ('Rijkswaterstaat') has started the mounting of gigantic steel beams into the Galecopper Bridge over the Amsterdam Rhine canal.
Galecopper Bridge, one of the busiest bridges in the Netherlands, is being currently being renovated with work running until the end of 2015.
A new heavier road deck will be installed and in order to carry the extra load, the bridge is being reinforced with nearly six million kilos of steel. This is the first of three huge operations that will take place during the course of the project.
The beams, which are more than 100m long, were transported to the site by pontoons on the water. Floating cranes have placed the prestressed beams alongside the bridge, ensuring they follow the exact shape of the 327m long bridge.
Together with our joint venture partner Royal HaskoningDHV we have worked on this project over the past five years as technical manager, site engineer, project and contract manager and managing contractor.
"This is the crucial moment after many years of assessing, inspections, designing, and planning of the necessary refurbishment works of the Galecopper Bridge. It is the moment where the JV preparation, our technical expertise, the contractors logistics and construction capability, and good traffic management by the client organisation all come together in time and location." Sander den Blanken, Project Director, Arup"This is the crucial moment after many years of assessing, inspections, designing, and planning of the necessary refurbishment works of the Galecopper Bridge. It is the moment where the JV preparation, our technical expertise, the contractors logistics and construction capability, and good traffic management by the client organisation all come together in time and location." Sander den Blanken, Project Director, Arup
As a result of the renovation, the life of the Galecopper Bridge will be prolonged by at least 30 years and ships with a higher load will be able to float under the bridge. Over the next few decades the bridge will be a safe connection, enhancing mobility on the road and through the water.
Watch the video to get an impression of the project.