Oosterbrug

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, in Dutch. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

Description

Introduction

The OOSTERBRUG connects the city centre of Leeuwarden with the Nieuwe Kanaalgebied. Due to capacity problems with the existing bridge (only 2.50 m wide), the Municipal Council decided in 1914 to build a new bridge, located approximately 40 m further north, which with a width of 10.80 m met the demands of the heaviest traffic and could even accommodate a planned electric tram. Construction only began in 1924. The architectural design in Art Deco was undertaken by the director of Municipal Works, L.H.E. van Hylckama Vlieg. The mechanical part, a rolling bascule bridge according to the "Rall" system, was designed and executed by N.V. Machinefabriek Braat in Rotterdam. The concrete work was executed by N.V. Betonbouw f.h. Fa. Kool & Wildeboer in Hoogkerk. The gates and masts were supplied by Fa. M. Eerligh, Machinefabriek Leeuwarden. The Oosterbrug is the first bridge according to the "Rall" system in the Netherlands. Rolling bascule bridges of the "Rall" system differ from normal rolling bascule bridges in that the rollers in the closed position are not loaded. The bridge deck then rests on its own bearing and not on moving parts. The drawspan has been renewed and the drive has been modified. Furthermore, the light masts were removed and the rotating gates for road traffic were replaced.

Description

The substructure is executed in washed gravel concrete. The abutments meet the quay wall with a quarter circle. The walls are cast in formwork with timber decking. The top row of "planks" is provided with a scallop drip moulding. The visible surfaces are finished so that the concrete shows its natural state as much as possible. To this end, the formwork was already removed after one day and the cement skin that covered the gravel aggregate was sandblasted away. The guardhouse also underwent this treatment. It is a small building on an elongated hexagonal floor plan with four long sides and two short ones. The corners are formed by round columns. At the height of the road deck, a continuous dark ornamental band is applied. The entrance door with simple panels is located on the west side. Apart from the southwest side, which is blind, the sides contain opening or non-opening four-pane windows with original teak wooden frames, which are provided with some ornament. The original hinges and fittings were partially preserved. The substantially overhanging hipped roof has slightly curved roof tiles and is covered with roofing felt. A chimney stands in the middle. The railwork consists of sheet iron posts, between which riveted bars are inserted. The rotating gates, otherwise made of non-original tubular material, are fastened to riveted posts, on which the light masts stood. On both sides, for shipping traffic, there are bronze lights consisting of three round elements placed one above the other, the glass of which is protected by grilles. The drawspan and drive mechanism were no longer in original condition. They were replaced in 1998 and fall outside the protection.

Assessment

Bridge of architectural-historical, technical-historical and cultural-historical importance:

- as the first example in the Netherlands of a rolling bascule bridge according to the "Rall" system with the drive below the deck;

- as a rare example of Art Deco in Leeuwarden;

- as an early example of gravel concrete application in bridge construction.