Schwanentorbrücke

Schwanentorbrücke
Schwanentorbrücke
Schwanentorbrücke
Coordinates 51°26′10.43″N 6°45′28.17″E / 51.4362306°N 6.7578250°E / 51.4362306; 6.7578250
Locale Duisburg
Characteristics
Design Vertical-lift bridge
Material Steel
Width 22 m (72 ft)
Height 20 m (65 ft)
Longest span 18 m (59 ft)
History
Designer Hans-Siegfried Persch
Construction end 1950

The Schwanentorbrücke is a Vertical-lift bridge in Duisburg which crosses over the Ruhr. When the bridge was raised, it would let transportation ships carrying goods into the inner city. When it is lowered, cars, trains, and pedestrians are able to cross. The bridge is named after the Schwanenturm (meaning watch tower) which used to be there along the city walls in the 13th and 14th century.[1]

History

Before the Schwanentorbrücke was constructed, there was a smaller bridge used by pedestrians and traders. In 1844, a bridge with train tracks was built and continuously widened and was improved in 1926-29.[1] The Schwanentorbrücke was designed by Hans-Siegfried Persch and completed in 1950.[2] When the city updated the trains in Duisburg they also updated improved the bridge. These improvement were done with plans by Foster & Partner.[1] Recently, as the transportation industry has moved out of the city, the bridge no longer needs to be raised. Workers began the two stage reconstruction project for the bridge on April 9th, 2018. It is expected to last 18 months and cost 4.5 million Euros.[3][4]

Structure

The bridge has four towers supporting the bridge and also enabling it to be raised and lowered. Inside each tower is a pulley system which is used to lift the weight of the bridge. Electric motors run the bridge, but each tower also contains counter weights weighing several tons which saves energy by helping lift the bridge. On top of each tower are large glass lanterns. These lanterns would shine green to signal when ships may cross underneath the bridge. One of the four towers has a control room.[3]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 "Schwanentorbrücke". baukunst-nrw. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  2. ↑ "Schwanentorbrücke". Structurae. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  3. 1 2 Mohrs, Willi (21 August 2015). "Duisburger Schwanentorbrücke wird für 4,5 Millionen Euro saniert". Funk Medien NRW. WAZ. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  4. ↑ "Sanierung der Türme Schwanentorbrücke in der Duisburger Innenstadt". Wirtschaftsbetrieb Duisburg. Retrieved 24 July 2018.


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