Largest fibreglass and carbon fibre truss bridge in Europe opens in Bergen, Norway
The bridge was designed by a team from RoyalHaskoningDHV. Made entirely of fibreglass and carbon fibre, and prefabricated in a single piece before being transported, the bridge is the largest of its kind in Europe. It was designed to last 100 years with minimal maintenance and represents a further step in the use of composites as a strong, lightweight and low-maintenance alternative to concrete, steel or timber in bridge construction.
It was lowered into position in the Paradise neighbourhood of Bergen within an hour, after a journey over land, sea and inland waterways, attracting much local attention in the process.
Norwegian ingenuity, Dutch design
The bridge was commissioned by Vestland fylkeskommune (Vestland County Municipality) as part of Norway’s wider exploration of lightweight, low-maintenance bridges near lightrail infrastructure. Inspiration was taken from the Netherlands, where composite bridges are already in use in pedestrian, and even transport, bridges.
Håkon Tryti Nilssen, Construction Manager at Vestland fylkeskommune, said: “The composite structure of the Paradise pedestrian and cycling bridge is a fairly new technology for bridge infrastructure in Vestland county and Norway as a whole. We were therefore largely dependent on the expertise from other parties. Especially in the process of applying this innovative technology reliably, with composite design and quality assurance, Royal HaskoningDHV has proven to be a valuable partner.”
Speaking about the bridge, Liesbeth Tromp (in image 2), Composite Lead Engineer at Royal HaskoningDHV, said: “We’re very proud today, seeing the bridge finally in use after all the work that has gone into creating it. Composites are becoming increasingly popular and capable as a low maintenance alternative in bridge construction. In the Netherlands it is becoming standard in many uses, and it is great to see Norway exploring the opportunities to do the same.”
“The project was a truly international collaboration, that has realised a new connection for the city of Bergen and the people who call it home – from everyday commuters and residents to schoolchildren, who now have a faster, safer crossing to their school.”
A journey across land and sea
The decision to pre-fabricate the bridge in Arendal, in the south of Norway, came with major advantages for the quality of the bridge’s assembly and prevented disruption at the bridge’s eventual location near Bergen’s light railway. And it made for a spectacular transport.
The bridge travelled in three stages – first by sea, then inland waterways and finally over land. In that final stage of the journey across land, road signs were removed, lampposts moved, and cables lifted to make room. Many schoolchildren, who will soon use the bridge as a safe crossing to their school, gathered to watch its final leg through Bergen.
A team of experts at Royal HaskoningDHV, including Composite Lead Engineer Liesbeth Tromp and Bridge Constructor Kees van IJselmuijden, designed the bridge and performed the composite related production quality checks.
A consortium of contractor Consto, producer CSUB and composite engineering firm FiReCo brought the design to life and installed it in the Paradise neighbourhood.
Infrastructureenquiries
Contact our Infra experts