METAMORFOSE MUIDERBRUG

Unique metamorphosis of the Muiderbrug (Muider Bridge), sturdier, wider, higher... whiter!

 

The Netherlands is a water-rich country. We have been using flyovers, bridges and other means to get to the ‘other side’ since way back when.

 

With the increasing traffic and related busyness and load, it was necessary to adjust the Muiderbrug to guarantee the safety of the road users. Not only the road traffic, but also the shipping traffic had specific requirements.

 

Increasing the vertical clearance means that higher, laden ships can also pass through the bridge.

 

To facilitate the requirements of both types of traffic, the height of the bridge had to be increased by approximately 20 cm. This was achieved by placing intermediary supports along the bank. The middle of the bridge was then raised by another 50 cm. In addition, the bridge was extended by 2.4 metres. With the aid of high pylons (2.7 metres) and a special cable-stayed construction, the girder bridge with level bank connection was transformed into a striking cable-stayed bridge. 

 

Together with the new end sections, the pylons of the Muiderbrug are seventy metres high. Each end section consists of four separate concrete blocks that were hoisted up with a crane.

 

A degree of complexity involved in this operation was, of course, that the Muiderbrug is one of the most important arterial roads in the Netherlands. Approximately 180,000 cars and other vehicles cross over the bridge each day! In order to avoid having to divert all of this traffic, the work is being executed while the bridge is partially open or at night-time when the bridge can be closed off completely for a set period of time. Therefore, an extra challenge!

 

In the autumn of 2009, construction of the special bicycle bridge commenced, which will be positioned next to the Muiderbrug.

 

By using white concrete, obtained with titanium dioxide, the Muiderbrug emanates an appearance that reflects the beautiful North Holland landscape.

 

In the coming decades, the Muiderbrug will still meet the requirements that contemporary bridges demand!