Janson Bridging designs temporary transport bridge 48 meters long and 11 meters wide over Juliana Canal

A smart and safe transport solution was essential for the widening and deepening of the Juliana Canal. The enormous amount of earthmoving and the supply of heavy crushed stone would place a considerable burden on the surrounding road network. To limit inconvenience and guarantee accessibility, Van den Herik-Sliedrecht engaged the expertise of Janson Bridging.

Together with Van den Herik, Janson Bridging designed a temporary bridge over Obbichterweg, with a minimum headway of 4.5 meters. By using standard bridge elements, an efficient construction of 48 meters long was created, consisting of two seamless sections of 24 meters each. Janson Bridging arranged everything: from design to assembly and disassembly. "We have our own engineering department which allows us to connect very quickly with our clients," explains Marcel van Fessem, General Manager at Janson Bridging Nederland. Janson Bridging is an expert in modular temporary bridges, pontoons, roros and ferries for both civilian and military applications. "Our bridges are modular and circular," adds colleague and project manager Abdel al Harchaoui. "This means that we can basically make any size we want. From a small pedestrian bridge to a large transport bridge. We have various types, think plate girder bridges, beam bridges, movable bridges and truss bridges."

Safe and functional bridge for heavy construction traffic

When building a new bridge, safety and functionality are paramount. Therefore, the design has been modified to provide sufficient margin between the roadways and the spill barriers. This not only ensures a safe working environment, but also prevents materials from the bridge from spilling onto the underlying road network. To ensure this safety, the temporary bridge was made wider than originally planned. Strategically placed barriers create a safe zone on both sides, which can also serve as a footpath for personnel. The design also took specific account of heavy transport loads. The bridge is designed to allow four Volvo A30 dump trucks to pass simultaneously, ensuring a smooth and efficient flow of construction traffic.  

Slope of 7%

The bridge is supported by a foundation of tubular steel piles and beams, firmly anchored in the ground. Both the foundation and the bridge itself are temporary in nature. "A major challenge was the slope: the Department of Public Works specified that it should be a maximum of 7%, to allow for longer and less steep ramps. This affected the substructure, for which we worked closely with De Vries from Werkendam and Van den Herik. Thanks to the perfect dimensions, the bridge could be installed effortlessly." 

Assembled within one day

A Janson plate girder bridge type JSB-1 was installed for the Juliana Canal, measuring 48 meters long and 11 meters wide, specially designed for heavy construction traffic. Abdel explains: "We build each bridge ourselves and where possible we prefabricate the components on our own site. This shortens on-site construction time and reduces inconvenience. The bridge for the Juliana Canal consisted of six parts of 34 tons each, which we assembled in the right place with a 250-ton crane in one day."

Minimal inconvenience, maximum convenience

The transport bridge over the Juliana Canal may not be the most striking bridge, but it is unique in its kind. Marcel: "Every temporary bridge from Janson Bridging is in fact customized, adapted to the specific needs, requirements and situation. This bridge ensures that people from the surrounding area can continue to drive and cycle through Obbichterweg, without detours or inconvenience. In this way, inconvenience to local residents is kept to a minimum during the work."