German highways agency combats traffic queues with innovative bridge concept
The bridge was supplied complete from the factory and craned into place in just a few hours.
An innovative GRP bridge has been constructed over the new German B3 Highway at Friedberg near Frankfurt. The bridge is a lightweight structure that was assembled close to the highway and then lifted into position with the minimum of disruption to road traffic.
The 27-metre long bridge comprises two steel beams covered by an innovative multi-cellular GRP deck made of so-called ASSET profiles from GRP profiles manufacturer Fiberline Composites. According to Stefan Hodes, press spokesman of the Hessen State Highways Agency, rapid installation and low maintenance costs were the key reasons for adopting the new technology.
“In densely populated areas, conventional bridge building projects very quickly result in long queues of vehicles. This is a key argument favouring the use of GRP bridges as they can be installed in just a couple of hours and also have the advantage of being resistant to corrosion,” says Stefan Hodes.
Fibreglass-reinforced plastics are a state-of-the-art construction material that is an alternative to traditional materials such as concrete, steel and wood.
Fiberline Composites is a world leading supplier of high-tech composite profiles for the wind turbine industry. We develop technically sophisticated solutions in close partnership with customers and research institutions around the world.
