Custom steel for Abbegaaster chain bridge

The bridge over the Wijmerts River in the Frisian hamlet of Abbegaasterketting was renovated and fitted with a new steel bridge deck in early May 2019. De Boer Staal and De Boer Snijbedrijf supplied steel and cutting work for the new bridge deck.

A piece of history

The hamlet of Abbegaasterketting originated around the chain house of the ferry master, who had a ferry service across the Wijmerts. For the use of the ferry, toll was levied by means of a chain stretched across the canal. In time, the ferry was replaced by a swing bridge. 

In 1969 this, not even one meter wide, swing bridge was replaced by a five meter wide concrete drawbridge. The inhabitants of Abbega were happy about this, because until then they had to make a 7 km detour by car to get to the hamlet of Abbegaasterketting on the other side of the canal.

Cutting of steel and setting of profiles

De Boer Snijbedrijf cut the steel parts for the new bridge deck to size from steel S355 J2+N with 3.1 certification. The steel was supplied by De Boer Staal. De Boer Snijbedrijf also set various steel profiles. These set profiles (troughs) serve to reinforce the bridge deck so that it cannot sag. 

The steel components of the bridge deck were welded together and the new steel bridge deck was installed and assembled on May 9, 2019. The drive and the 21-ton balance were also renovated and the bridge railings replaced. The Abbegaasterketting bridge is an important link for road and water traffic in the region and, after this refurbishment, it will be able to continue for years to come. The motto of De Boer Staal and De Boer Snijbedrijf is: 'YOU BUILD WE SUPPLY also for civil engineering!'