Swing Bridge (Krefeld)

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Swing bridge in the Rheinhafen Krefeld-Linn
Swing bridge at night

The historic swing bridge in Krefeld - Linn connects the town of Linn with the headland between the Linner Rheinhafen and the banks of the Rhine.

history

The swing bridge was built in 1905 in the Art Nouveau style when the Rhine harbor was built in Linn . In 1906 Linn was incorporated into Krefeld. The Prussian state government, under great influence from Finance Minister Georg Freiherr von Rheinbaben, planned a larger port facility and the settlement of heavy industry in Krefeld's urban area along the Rhine between Uerdingen and today's Meerbusch urban area. The plans for the overall expansion of the port were not pursued after the First World War .

The swing bridge should be a symbol of a good start into a progressive future. When it was inaugurated, it was one of the most modern swing bridges in Germany. The opening was celebrated on July 6, 1906. Kaiser Wilhelm II initially wanted to carry out the inauguration personally, but his Majesty was indispensable. He then at least promised to send two torpedo boats . But even these did not reach their destination in time due to bad weather. The bridge, including its drive technology, is still in its original functional condition. Therefore it is under monument protection . The bridge was extensively restored several times between the 1970s and 1990s.

The bridge's only deficit is its limited capacity for truck traffic, both operationally (including load-bearing capacity) and with its 22 m wide ship openings, it meets current and future requirements such as B. the passage of the large container ship class with a maximum width of 17.35 m fully. The considerations initially ranged from relocating the bridge to its abandonment. The planning is currently planning another bridge to relieve the swing bridge. The network of the Krefeld port railway company will also be connected via the new bridge. The Linner swing bridge should then only be used by pedestrians and cyclists.

traffic

The swing bridge bridges the ship approach to the Linner Rheinhafen and connects Hafenstrasse with Hentrichstrasse. It is single-track and at the beginning could also be used by freight wagons. Traffic in the direction of the Hafenkopf has priority. The bridge is rotated about 150 times a year if a ship does not fit under the bridge. This is often the case, especially during floods.

technology

Before the bridge can be rotated, it must be raised by 11 centimeters using a system of lifting pistons in the central pillar. A 30  HP motor provides the necessary pressure to lift the 700-ton steel structure. Then the bridge can be rotated 90 degrees around the central pillar to allow larger ships to pass. The lifting and rotating process can also be carried out without mechanical power; four people are necessary for this.

Web links

Commons : Hafendrehbrücke (Krefeld)  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 51 ° 20 ′ 38.8 "  N , 6 ° 39 ′ 46.7"  E