The Friesenbrücke bridge over the River Ems near Weener is part of the rail link between Leer in East Frisia and Groningen in the Netherlands. After a cargo ship collided with the old Friesenbrücke bridge and partially destroyed the overpass, it had to be replaced by a new structure.
The new structure was planned as a lift-and-turn bridge that connects to the existing foreshore bridges. It consists of two fixed superstructures on the Weener side and on the Ihrhove side. Between them is the movable swing bridge section with the pivot pier on the Ihrhove side to keep the navigation channel clear. Deep foundation piers on land and shallow foundation piers in the river support the new superstructures. The structure was also equipped with a footpath and cycle path as well as a separate service and rescue route.
The high wind loads and poor subsoil conditions near the coast and their influence on the rotation of the bridge presented a particular technical challenge and had to be determined and investigated as part of the planning process.
