Pont de Wandre
Encyclopedia
The Pont de Wandre is a single pier cable-stayed bridge
carrying the N667 road across the Albert Canal
and River Meuse in Liege
, Belgium.
in 1940. Two temporary metal pedestrian bridges of metal replaced the destroyed bridge.
Construction of replacement bridges began in 1947; a 59.4m long bridge across the Albert Canal (le pont de l'Esparanto), and a three span concrete bridge across the Meuse of total length 190m; the new construction was officially opened in 1948.
An increase in traffic on the Albert Canal during the 1970s necessitated its expansion for larger vessels required the widening of the channel from 35 to 85m; as a result this expansion also required the construction of a new bridge.
Work to construct a new bridge to replace the post war bridges began in 1985; the bridge was officially opened 16 June 1989, at a cost of 508million belgian franc
s. It connects suburbs Wandre and Hertstal of Liege, crossing the Meuse and Albert Canals, the main support stands on the isthmus
between the Meuse and Albert canal.
The total length of the bridge including the approach sections is ~527m, the main cable stayed spans are 144m and 168m. The inverted Y shaped concrete main support is 88.5m high, and supports a 22m wide road deck.
Cable-stayed bridge
A cable-stayed bridge is a bridge that consists of one or more columns , with cables supporting the bridge deck....
carrying the N667 road across the Albert Canal
Albert Canal
The Albert Canal is a canal located in northeastern Belgium, named after King Albert I of Belgium. It connects the major cities Antwerp and Liège and the Meuse and Scheldt rivers. It has a depth of , a free height of and a total length of...
and River Meuse in Liege
Liege
Liège is a municipality and a city of Belgium. The term Liège or Liege may also refer to:* Liege, a party to the oath of allegiance in feudalism .* Liège Island, in the Antarctic...
, Belgium.
History and description
From the 15th to 19th century the Meuse at Wandre was crossed by a ferry. In 1884 the first bridge crossing between Herstal and Wandre was built; it consisted of a metal bowstring bridge across the canal, a seven arched brick and stone viaduct across the land between the two waterways, then a box section rectangular girder truss bridge across the Meuse supported on three piers. Due to increased traffic caused by industrial development a second bridge was built upstream of the first between 1935 and 1937; this was blown up by the Belgian ArmyBelgian Army
The Land Component is organised using the concept of capacities, whereby units are gathered together according to their function and material. Within this framework, there are five capacities: the command capacity, the combat capacity, the support capacity, the services capacity and the training...
in 1940. Two temporary metal pedestrian bridges of metal replaced the destroyed bridge.
Construction of replacement bridges began in 1947; a 59.4m long bridge across the Albert Canal (le pont de l'Esparanto), and a three span concrete bridge across the Meuse of total length 190m; the new construction was officially opened in 1948.
An increase in traffic on the Albert Canal during the 1970s necessitated its expansion for larger vessels required the widening of the channel from 35 to 85m; as a result this expansion also required the construction of a new bridge.
Work to construct a new bridge to replace the post war bridges began in 1985; the bridge was officially opened 16 June 1989, at a cost of 508million belgian franc
Belgian franc
The franc was the currency of Belgium until 2002 when the euro was introduced into circulation. It was subdivided into centimes , 100 centiem or Centime .-History:...
s. It connects suburbs Wandre and Hertstal of Liege, crossing the Meuse and Albert Canals, the main support stands on the isthmus
Isthmus
An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas usually with waterforms on either side.Canals are often built through isthmuses where they may be particularly advantageous to create a shortcut for marine transportation...
between the Meuse and Albert canal.
The total length of the bridge including the approach sections is ~527m, the main cable stayed spans are 144m and 168m. The inverted Y shaped concrete main support is 88.5m high, and supports a 22m wide road deck.