Thursday, March 26, 2009

Adolphe Bridge



Adolphe Bridge in Luxembourg City is also known as the New Bridge. At the time of its construction it was the biggest stone arch-bridge in the world. It is used by both traffic and pedestrians. It has become an unofficial national symbol, representing Luxembourg's independence.

After the Luxembourg city expanded to south the need of a new bridge was necessary. The Adolphe Bridge was built in the years 1900 to 1903, during the reign of Grand-Duke Adolphe. It was design by Paul Sejourne, a Frenchman, and Albert Rodange, a Luxembourger. They used reinforced concrete and sandstone for the construction. It was opened on 24 July, 1903.

The bridge is 153 meters long nad 17.2 meters wide; its height is 42 meters. A big double-arch has a spread of 84.65 meters and it is surmounted by eight smaller arches of 5.4o meters. Two side arches that flank the central arches are 21.6 meters wide and there are further arches of 6 meters outside the medium-sized arches. It stands over the Petrusse valley and connects Boulevard Royal, in Ville Haute and Avenue de la Liberte, in Gare.

Throughout its exsistance the Adolphe Bridge was renovated several times. The first renovation was in 1961 and the last one so far from September 2003 to August 2004. The major renovation is planned for the year 2009.

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