Usually bridges are bent vertically. Vatnahalsen bridge is bent vertically while swinging horizontally.
- This is the first bridge we have made that is double curved. In other words, it is bent vertically and curves horizontally at the same time. It's very special. I'm not aware of anything similar being produced in glulam in Northern Europe before," says Åge Holmestad, project developer and senior advisor at Moelven Limtre.
A double-curved bridge also meant a lot of customization for the steelwork, especially the railing on the bridge.
- "First we designed the railing, then we produced an incredible number of different parts for it. We had to curve something that can't really be curved, so everything had to be specially made," says Thorbjørn Jensen, project manager at Nordic Steel.
Jensen says that almost every single part of the railing is unique. The railing also had to be high enough that it was not possible to climb on it or attenuator small fingers in it. "A bridge for pedestrians and cyclists must be safe for everyone who crosses it.
- We have also made solid safety screens over the train tracks, because the Flåm Line runs just below Vatnahalsen Bridge," Thorbjørn Jensen points out.
Nordic Steel has also calculated and dimensioned both railings and safety screens to withstand both wind and snow.
There is no road access to the area, so all materials were transported by train to Vatnahalsen stop, which is located right next to the bridge. Delivery precision was particularly important for the project, as transportation by train was only possible at certain times.
As much as 10 tons of steel were transported by train to Vatnahalsen. In wooden bridges, steel is an important support function, also in this bridge. Nordic Steel supplied the Vatnahalsen bridge:
- We supply everything needed in steel for all types of bridges and have an organization that is equipped for customization in projects. In this case, it was special to be involved in a bridge that involves a lot of engineering work," says Thorbjørn Jensen.
