The Slauerhoffbrug is one tail bridge that stands out, even in the
bridge-happy Netherlands. The bridge, located in Leeuwarden, was
designed by Van Driel Mechatronica to be a fully automatic bridge with
an ability to sense and adapt to its surroundings. While this technology
is not for just any bridge—more traffic requires a more intelligent
controller—the bridge is sensibly high-tech for its area, says Bart Ney,
a Public Information Officer for the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge,
which is scheduled to be completed in 2013. "The Slauerhoffbrug is
immediately both iconic and utilitarian and allows optimum flow of
maritime and automobile traffic," he says.
The Slauerhoffbrug crosses over the Harlinger Vaart River. "A movable
bridge was necessary because a new beltway crossed this canal," van
Driel says. Constructed in 2000 from iron and steel, the bridge is
raised and lowered 10 times a day by two hydraulic cylinders located in a
single pylon next to the bridge. The lift bearing, complete with
asphalt and road markings, seamlessly disappears into the road when
lowered. The base model of the bridge is a limited turntable bascule
bridge, in which the rising section is counterbalanced by a weight, like
the Pegasusbrug near Ouistreham in France. Such bridges were built all
over the world in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, van Driel says.
The Slauerhoffbrug is built in an L-shape, bending the bearing bars that
lead to the deck, with the foundation built beside the bridge. The
principal beams and cross girders are absent. This allows a low
construction height that increases the lifting height. And in true Dutch
fashion, this tail bridge isn't just an engineering feat, but a work of
art. It is painted in yellow and blue, representative of Leewaurden's
flag and seal. The asymmetrical shape can be seen for miles when the
deck is completely raised and locked upright in midair.
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