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Vatnahalsen bridge

- Each part of the railing is unique

The bridge is the first of its kind in Northern Europe. Vatnahalsen bridge is made of wood, but contains 10 tons of steel.

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.

Vatnahalsen bridge over the Flåm Line (Photo: Karl Morten Undal, Bane NOR)

Custom-made railing

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.

Higher than it looks. There are three meters from the road to the top of the railing (Photo: Moelven Limtre)

- 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.

Steel is an important support function in wooden bridges

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:

  • Cross-bearers
  • Brackets
  • Slit fittings
  • Railing posts
  • Player railing
  • Land vessel poles
  • Safety screens

- 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.

There are safety screens in addition to high railings because the railway runs under the bridge (Photo: Moelven Limtre)

Facts about Vatnahalsen bridge:

  • Transition bridge over the Flåm Line at Vatnahalsen station along Rallarvegen
  • Made of wood, steel and concrete
  • The railing is high: 3 meters from the road surface to the top of the railing
  • 27 meters long
  • For pedestrians, cyclists and skiers
  • The client was Bane NOR and the main contractor Mesta AS
  • The bridge was opened in October 2023

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

Åge Holmestad
Moelven Limtre

Other projects we have carried out.

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