Verkeersbrug, Jan de La Barlaan 's-Hertogenbosch

English translation

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Description

Introduction.

A TRAFFIC BRIDGE over the river Aa connecting the Jan de la Barlaan with the Van Berckelstraat, built for all types of traffic to provide access to the northern residential district De Muntel which was developed from approximately 1920 onwards. Construction of the bridge began in 1920, as evidenced by the stone tablet bearing 'AD 1920' in the brickwork on the west side of the southern side span. It was officially opened on 14 March 1921. The design was probably made by J.D. Meijsing, then superintendent of public works in Den Bosch, and shows influences of the Amsterdam School. The execution was, excluding the reinforced concrete work, awarded for f 82,390 to the N.V. Aannemingsmaatschappij 'Den Bosch'. The reinforced concrete was executed by the N.V. Koninklijke Rotterdamsche Betonijzer-Maatschappij (formerly Van Waning & Co) from Rotterdam, one of the first concrete contractors in the country. The iron railings of the balustrade come from the smithy of N.W. Gielens in 's-Hertogenbosch. Outside Amsterdam, there are few bridges in this period where the aforementioned materials are integrated within a single bridge design. The Fortifications Act of 1874 made it possible for Den Bosch to build along and outside city walls. The municipality of Den Bosch decided to preserve the Aa and (a part of) the city walls. By constructing the bridge over the Aa at the point where the Kasteren wall and the North wall meet, a unique fortified-city townscape has been preserved. The bridge is named after engineer J.H.E. Rückert, who died unexpectedly in 1918, former director of the local public works department. With the exception of four street lamps originally placed at the corner points (removed after 1939), the bridge has been well preserved. According to the specification drawing, a police station (never executed) was planned on the adjacent Kasterenwal.

Description.

The bridge, constructed of concrete, brick, iron and Bavarian granite slabs, has four supports (two piers and two abutments) and is approximately 25 metres long in total, with three spans of 3.80 m, 11.30 m and 3.80 m respectively. The roadway is 7.50 m wide with a slightly raised pavement 2 m wide on each side. The middle span consists of an exposed reinforced concrete slab on various girders with tooth-shaped consoles on the underside. The side spans likewise consist of reinforced concrete slabs on girders which are, however, concealed from view on the sides by ascending brickwork. This brickwork consists of pressed herringbone arches on projections taper-pointed and laid against the piers of bridge and abutment. The piers, laid in English bond, are hollow; the abutments, widening considerably towards the embankment, consist of reinforced concrete faced with brick. Both rest on foundations of unreinforced concrete enclosed between sheet piling. On the Van Berckelstraat side, the abutment connects by means of laid brick wing walls to the city wall. The brickwork is enlivened by diagonal mouse-tooth strings, stick mouldings, stones laid on edge and plinth stones with offsets. On and between the bridge railings, panels of tooled Bavarian granite have been placed. Between the railings also decorative wrought-iron railings. On the inside of the bridge arms two stone tablets with 'RUCKERTBRUG'.

Evaluation.

The traffic bridge is of general importance. The object possesses cultural-historical value on account of the innovative value for the development of a bridge type in which very disparate materials are integrated within a single design. The (relatively early) use and partial exposure of reinforced concrete is noteworthy in a period when brick was customary for such bridges. The object possesses architectural-historical values as, on the grounds of its appearance and the particular application of reinforced concrete, it can be considered important for the history of architecture and building technology. Moreover, on account of the distinctive use of materials, such as Bavarian granite, and the detailed ornamentation, in particular of the decorative brickwork and decorative metalwork. The object possesses ensemble values on account of its location, connected with the development of the district De Muntel made possible by the Fortifications Act. Furthermore, because the bridge, connected on the Kasterenwal with the city wall, leaves the historical continuity of the defensive Aa and fortifications intact and as such is important for the appearance of Den Bosch as a fortified city. The object is further of importance on account of its integrity and its relatively rare appearance for bridges.