Pedestrian bicycle bridge Afferdense and Deestse Waarden completed

The new pedestrian bridge at Afferden-Deest in Gelderland was recently completed. A special project, as it is an all-wood bridge 149 m long by 3 m wide in the floodplain of a side channel of the river Waal.

The pedestrian bicycle bridge in Afferden, commissioned by Boskalis, is made entirely of wood. Often bridges of these lengths are made of other materials. However, this bridge is located in the floodplain of a newly created side channel of the Waal River and had to fit into the rural environment. In addition, the bridge had to be able to withstand the strong river current, and so they arrived at a design in FSC-Azobé wood.

Favorable Life Cycle Cost

Adri Timmerman, commercial manager Flora Nova Constructiewerken, sees a trend to realize more bridges in wood. "With regard to reducing the environmental impact, wood scores many times better than concrete, steel or plastic. This is being recognized by more and more governments. If the environmental costs are expressed in euros (Environmental Cost Indicators [EQI]), you see that the environmental costs over the entire life cycle of a wooden bridge are by far the lowest. This means a favorable 'Life Cycle Cost'."

Flora Nova Constructiewerken in Ophemert specializes in structures for ground, road and hydraulic engineering, from bridges to lock gates and from observation towers to outdoor furniture. The firm values the environment and cherishes the traditional values that characterize this bridge. The maximum span of a wooden bridge is about 12 m, but with lattice girders or finger-jointed timber, spans of up to 25 meters are possible. Arched and suspension bridges in hardwood with an even larger span, can also be realized.

Lifespan can be extended by many years

Flora Nova Construction Works has internally developed a program to significantly improve the detailing of wooden bridges. "Based in part on the CUR report from several years ago, we have made some improvements," says Timmerman. "Through regular inspection and proper maintenance, the lifespan can be extended by many years and such a bridge will last at least 50 years. Therefore, an inspection subscription can be taken out with us to ensure safety. By the way, Flora Nova not only produces in wood, but other materials or a combination thereof are also used."