Historical hydraulic structures under the OVFMP

Railway drawbridge on the Regalica of 1877

The railway drawbridge on the Regalica is the only bridge of this type in operation in Poland and the only mechanically operated one in Europe. In Germany there are two similar structures, but they are hydraulically lifted[i]. The bridge was built in 1877, including the current Wrocław – Szczecin railway line no. 273. It can be admired after we leave the Szczecin Central Port station and before arriving at the Szczecin Podjuchy station. In 1945 the bridge was blown up by the retreating German troops and its reconstruction was completed in 1949. Nowadays, the bridge consists of 5 spans and its total length is about 262 m, while the lift span of the bridge is about 17.5 m long. It is listed in the register of historical monuments as an immovable historical monument.

It is worth knowing that this bridge was the main topic of a short film entitled “The Bridge” nominated for the  Oscar award in 2004 in the category of Best Live Action Short Film in 2003.

Under the Odra-Vistula Flood Management Project (OVFMP), a new bridge is planned to be constructed at km 733.7 of the Regalica River, including associated infrastructure. The historical bridge on the Regalica will be replaced by a new bridge structure. The three spans and the piers of the existing structure will be removed. A new reinforced structure will be erected and additionally a new 300 m long railway track will be constructed, including an electric traction system. Due to the historical value of the bridge, the 17 m long lift span, which is listed in the register of historical monuments, will be preserved.

The investment entitled “1B.5 ‒ Reconstruction of bridge to ensure a minimum clearance” is carried out by the Regional Water Management Authority in Szczecin, SWH Polish Waters. The investment cost will be about PLN 328 million.

Road bridge in Krosno Odrzańskie of 1905

The more than 100-year-old road bridge in Krosno Odrzańskie is located on the Odra River along the Zielona Góra – Słubice road that runs through the center of Krosno Odrzańskie. It is used for both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. This bridge was built in the years 1904/1905. Its steel structure was fabricated in the Bridge, Steel Structure, and Railcar Building Factory Beuchelt & Co based in Zielona Góra.

The steel bridge structure, with a weight of 580 tons, was decorated with Brandenburg eagles and historicizing lamps on both sides. In 1936 the bridge structure was strengthened and the roadway was expanded. In 1945 the middle part of the bridge was damaged during war operations. It was rebuilt in 1948 according to its original form. In 1953 the bridge was upgraded, which predominantly involved strengthening its structure. Wooden pavers on the roadway were covered with bituminous carpet, while in 1960 it was replaced with asphalt[i].

Today, the bridge structure is a historical monument under conservation protection. The spatial layout of the city of Krosno Odrzańskie, dating back to the middle of the 18th century, is also covered by this type of protection.

The bridge superstructure consists of two three-span steel truss beams which are riveted. The bridge is supported on four massive supports: two abutments and two piers, built in the river current. The bridge length is about 164 m, whereas the extreme cantilever spans, with a 15.51 m long extent of the cantilever, have a length of 62.52 m each (the dimensions in the axes of the lattice girder bars). The suspended span with a length of 38.50 m was fully reconstructed after having been destroyed during World War II.

Under the Odra-Vistula Flood Management Project (OVFMP), this bridge is planned to be reconstructed and upgraded and this will involve, among others, raising the existing superstructure and supports of the bridge. These works also include local expansion of road infrastructure and its adaptation to the reconstructed road bridge. The reconstruction is designed to ensure a minimum clearance under the bridge structure, thus enabling efficient icebreaking operations on the Odra River, and to adapt the existing bridge crossing, in possible aspects,[ii] to the requirements set out in the Regulation of the Minister of Transport and Maritime Economy of May 30, 2000 on the technical requirements that engineering structures and their location must meet. The minimum required clearance under the bridge above the High Navigable Water Level (HNWL) is 5.25 m and it must be maintained along the entire width of the shipping channel.

The investment entitled “Works Contract 1B.1/1 (b): Reconstruction of the road bridge in Krosno Odrzańskie with access road” is carried out by the Regional Water Management Authority in Wrocław, SWH Polish Waters. The bridge is to be ready in 2023. It will be raised to a height of 5.2 meters. The Contractor is the company Strabag. The investment cost will be about PLN 72 million.