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Water Bridge in Germany

Germany unusual invention

Magdeburg Water Bridge – water bridge in Germany , crossing the Elbe and connects two important channels: Elbe-Havel and Mittelland canal, through which the message with the industrial area – the Ruhr valley. Not in Europe to equal it works. He is not built for trains and cars – over the bridge only move ships and pedestrians. This is, without exaggeration – an engineering marvel, a masterpiece of engineering.River barges do not have to make the long and dangerous dvenadtsatikilometrovy “hook” along the river Elbe.
Magdeburg Water Bridge (1)

Magdeburg Water Bridge

The bridge is 918 meters, including 690 meters on land, 228 meters above the water. It is the largest water bridge in Europe. The idea of building this bridge was expressed in 1919, and by 1938 the ship lift Rothensee and bridge abutments were ready. However, construction was postponed during the First and Second World Wars. After Germanywas divided at the beginning of the Cold War, the construction was postponed indefinitely. With the unification of Germany its erection again become a priority.

Magdeburg Water Bridge (2)

Magdeburg Water Bridge

The German government has proven that there is nothing impossible, having completed the bridge for 6 years and spent on it about 500 million euros. Massive construction joined the inner harbor Berlin ports along the Rhine river.The longest water bridge in Europe, 918 meters long, is made of 24,000 tons of steel and 68,000 cubic meters of concrete

Magdeburg Water Bridge (3)

Magdeburg Water Bridge

Water bridge allowed river barges to avoid a long and dangerous passage along the Elbe. Previously, shipping and loading barges often stopped when the level of the Elbe fell, but now the problem is solved once and for all.

Magdeburg Water Bridge (4)

Magdeburg Water Bridge

Captains barges can now carry loads of up to 1350 metric tons and 4.25-meter wide bridge in deep water 34 meters.Earlier, the court could only be loaded 800 metric tons

Magdeburg Water Bridge (5)

Magdeburg Water Bridge

Magdeburg Water Bridge is open to visitors and tourists, there is a parking lot, bicycle and walking paths, as well as a small museum dedicated to the unusual structure.

Magdeburg Water Bridge (6)

Magdeburg Water Bridge

 

Magdeburg Water Bridge (7)

Magdeburg Water Bridge

 

Magdeburg Water Bridge (8)

Magdeburg Water Bridge

 

Magdeburg Water Bridge (10)

Magdeburg Water Bridge