Nescio Bridge
{{Infobox bridge
| name = Nescio Bridge
| native_name = Nesciobrug
| native_name_lang = Dutch
| image = Amsterdam, 2012 (bridge 3).JPG
| image_size = 254px
| alt =
| caption = View of the bridge from underneath
| coordinates = {{coord|52.3555|4.9711|display=inline,title}}
| os_grid_reference =
| carries = cyclists, pedestrians
| crosses = Amsterdam–Rhine Canal
| locale = Amsterdam IJburg neighbourhood
| official_name =
| other_name = Palingbrug
(literally "Eel bridge")
| named_for = Dutch writer Nescio
| owner = City of Amsterdam
| maint =
| heritage =
| id = Amsterdam bridge № 2013
| id_type =
| website =
| preceded =
| followed =
| design =
| material = main span: steel
ramps: concrete
| material1 =
| material2 =
| length = {{Convert|780|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| width =
| height =
| depth =
| traversable =
| towpath =
| mainspan = {{Convert|163.5|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20150828183649/http://www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/2011/10/nescio-bridge-amsterdam.html Nescio Bridge Amsterdam - Bicycle Dutch on A view from the cycle path] (archived)
| number_spans =
| piers_in_water =
| load =
| clearance_above =
| clearance_below = {{Convert|10|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| life =
| architect = Wilkinson Eyre Architects
| designer =
| contracted_designer =
| winner =
| engineering = ARUP; Grontmij
| builder = VolkerWessels
| fabricator = Heerema Fabrication
| begin =
| complete = 2006
| cost = € 9.5 million
or € 12.2 million[http://www.bath.ac.uk/ace/uploads/StudentProjects/Bridgeconference2009/Papers/FOSTER.pdf A Critical Analysis of the Nescio Bridge, Amsterdam], published by the university of Bath
| open = {{Start-date|7 June 2006}} for cyclists
| inaugurated =
| rebuilt =
| collapsed =
| closed =
| replaces =
| traffic =
| toll =
}}
The Nescio Bridge (or Nesciobrug in Dutch) is a cycle and footbridge in the Netherlands. This curved, steel suspension bridge, located in Amsterdam, is the country's first suspension bridge that carries only a cycle track and footway, and at almost 800 metres length it is also one of the country's longest cycle and footbridges. Additionally, it is the longest single cable suspension bridge in the Netherlands.
The bridge was designed by Jim Eyre of London-based Wilkinson Eyre Architects, in cooperation with two multinational engineering consultancy firms: London-based ARUP group and Netherlands-based Grontmij. The design stands out by using a single, self-anchored cable.
The bridge has won several awards, including the 2007 IstructE Pedestrian Bridges Award,[https://web.archive.org/web/20150317132011/http://arup.com/Projects/Nescio_Bridge.aspx Nescio Bridge - ARUP consulting engineers] (archived) the 2007 Arthur G. Hayden Medal{{refn|‘For a single recent outstanding achievement in bridge engineering demonstrating innovation in special use bridges such as pedestrian, people-mover, or non-traditional structures.’ |group=nb}} from the International Bridge Conference in Pittsburgh,{{Cite web|url=https://www.sweco.nl/|title=Ingenieursadviesbureau Sweco | Van ontwerp tot realisatie|website=www.sweco.nl|accessdate=October 2, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://eswp.com/bridge/awards/|title=Awards – ESWP|accessdate=October 2, 2019}} and the 2006 Dutch national award for building in steel (the Nationale Staalprijs).:nl:Nationale Staalprijs
Location
The Nescio Bridge spans the Amsterdam–Rhine Canal, connecting the new residential area of IJburg, built on artificial islands in Lake IJ, with the mainland, landing very near Amsterdam Science Park, between East Amsterdam and North Diemen. On the IJburg side, the bridge touches down on the {{ill|Diemerzeedijk|nl}}, a 13th-century clay dike on which Dutch writer Nescio frequently made long walks that he recounted in his work, hence the occasion for the bridge's name.
Design and construction
Image:Nesciobrug_north_ramp.JPG
Image:Amsterdam, 2012 (bridge 2).JPG
Because the Amsterdam–Rhine Canal is one of the most heavily used inland waterways in Europe,{{cite web |url=http://www.watererfgoed.nl/links/A4%20Folder%20WCC%20UK.pdf |title=24th World Canals Conference shows richness of Dutch waterways |author= |year=2011 |page=4 |publisher=World Canals Conference |access-date=2015-08-30 |quote=".. the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal – the busiest canal in Europe .."}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20150829175619/http://www.britannica.com/topic/Amsterdam-Rhine-Canal Amsterdam-Rhine Canal - Britannica.com] (archived){{cite web |url=http://www.infrasite.nl/news/news_articles.php?ID_nieuwsberichten=2529 |title=Amsterdam heeft grootste fiets- en voetgangersbrug |language=Dutch |trans-title=Amsterdam has largest cycle and footbridge |author= |date=2005-07-11 |website= |publisher= |access-date=2015-08-29 |quote= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829180640/http://www.infrasite.nl/news/news_articles.php?ID_nieuwsberichten=2529 |archive-date=2015-08-29}} that connects the Port of Amsterdam, the fifth busiest port in Europe,{{cite press release |date=1 June 2014 |title=Port Statistics 2013 |url=https://www.portofrotterdam.com/sites/default/files/Port-statistics-2013.pdf |page=6 |publisher=Rotterdam Port Authority |accessdate=2014-06-28}} via the river Rhine to its hinterland, the bridge had to offer sufficient clearance to commercial shipping traffic for unrestricted passage. In order to achieve the needed {{Convert|10|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} clearance, while at the same time providing a conveniently shallow gradient for cyclists, the bridge has long approaches at both ends. On the north end, the long access ramp was fitted in by a long curve onto the Diemerzeedijk, whereas the southern end terminates in an expansive spiral cycle ramp.[https://web.archive.org/web/20150830092727/http://www.steigereiland.com/albums/luchtfotos/nesciobrug_2006_met_dank_aan_luchtfotografie_com.jpg Aerial photo of Nescio Bridge under construction] (archived) The footbridge section connects to the shore with a spiral staircase at either end.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dearchitect.nl/binaries/content/gallery/architect/projecten/2007/05/Amsterdam+Wilkinson+Eyre+Nesciobrug/galerij/Heverlee+BOB361+woonhuis069.JPG/Heverlee+BOB361+woonhuis069.JPG/architectimage:picture|date=August 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150830094244/http://www.dearchitect.nl/binaries/content/gallery/architect/projecten/2007/05/Amsterdam+Wilkinson+Eyre+Nesciobrug/galerij/Heverlee+BOB361+woonhuis069.JPG/Heverlee+BOB361+woonhuis069.JPG/architectimage:picture|accessdate=October 2, 2019|archive-date=2015-08-30|title=Dearchitect.nl }}
The main span was constructed off-site as a single steel structure of approximately {{Convert|180|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} long, weighing some {{Convert|510|t|0|abbr=on}}. In order to obstruct the busy shipping traffic on the canal as little as possible, it was hoisted into place within half a day on 9 July 2005. The cross-section of the bridge changes fluently from a deep triangular section at mid-span, where stiffness is needed, to a shallow section that merges into the concrete approaches. The angle of its sides makes it 'stealthy' to marine radar, again to ensure that it doesn't impede commercial shipping. Additionally, tuned mass dampers have been fitted, to prevent the bridge from wobbling as people walk across.
Suspension bridges are comparatively rare in the Netherlands, because the generally soft Dutch soil makes it difficult to properly anchor the main cables at the ends. On the Nescio Bridge this was solved by anchoring the cables to the bridge itself.{{cite AV media |people=Angus Lowe, lead engineering designer |year=2013 |title=Nescio Bridge |medium=Online video |url=http://www.kaltura.com/index.php/kwidget/cache_st/1323709569/wid/_529921/uiconf_id/5613841/entry_id/1_ubdwr6xm |access-date=2015-08-30 |format= |time=00:08 |location= |publisher=Arup Group Limited |id= |isbn= |oclc= |quote=}}
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See also
- The Hovenring, a circular cable-stayed bridge and bicycle roundabout near Eindhoven in the Netherlands.
- The Milky Way Bridge in Purmerend, another visually distinctive cycle and footbridge in the Netherlands.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140829033955/http://www.archdaily.com/295646/melkwegbrug-next-architects/ Melkwegbrug by NEXT Architects - ArchDaily] (archived)
- The Enneüs Heerma Bridge, the main road bridge to IJburg, also carrying tramways.
Notes
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References
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{{Wide image|Nesciobrug2.jpg|1440px|Panorama of the Nescio Bridge in 2007. Behind it the {{ill|Zeeburgerbrug|nl}}}}
External links
{{Commons category-inline|Brug 2013, Nesciobrug|Nescio Bridge}}
- [http://www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/2011/10/nescio-bridge-amsterdam.html Nescio Bridge Amsterdam] article on the cycling advocacy blog A View from the Cycle Path. The article was written by Mark W. alias [https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2011/10/06/nescio-bridge-amsterdam/ BicycleDutch] who reposted the article on his own blog with some additional data and reactions.
- [http://www.bath.ac.uk/ace/uploads/StudentProjects/Bridgeconference2009/Papers/FOSTER.pdf A Critical Analysis of the Nescio Bridge, Amsterdam], published by the university of Bath.
Category:Self-anchored suspension bridges
Category:Bridges completed in 2006
Category:Cable-stayed bridges in the Netherlands
Category:Cyclist bridges in the Netherlands