28 January 2013

Askoy Bridge


The Askøy Bridge (Norwegian: Askøybroen) is a suspension bridge which crosses Byfjorden between Bergen and Askøy in Hordaland, Norway. It is 1,057 meters (3,468 ft) long and has a main span of 850 meters (2,789 ft), making it the longest suspension bridge in Norway (until Hardanger Bridge is opened) . It carries two lanes of County Road 562 and a combined pedestrian and bicycle path. The bridge's two concrete pylons are 152 meters (499 ft) tall and are located at Brøstadneset in Bergen and Storeklubben in Askøy. The bridge has seven spans in total, although all but the main span are concrete viaducts. The bridge has a clearance below of 62 meters (203 ft).
The first plans to replace the Kleppestø–Nøstet Ferry with a bridge, which would allow the island of Askøy to have a fixed link, was launched in the 1960s. Various proposals were made, including placing the bridge further east and closer to Bergen, and building a submerged floating tunnel. In the early 1970s, a toll company was established to finance the bridge, but too high costs to cover with tolls and the lack of a motorway to Bergen from the west postponed construction. In the early 1980s, there was controversy about whether advanced tolls should be charged on the ferry, but these were ultimately charged from 1984 until the bridge opened. Construction started in 1989 and the bridge opened ahead of schedule on 12 December 1992, along with a new section of the road which included the Stongafjell Tunnel and Olsvik Tunnel. The bridge remained a toll road until 2006.

View on pylon and bridge from Olsvik
Askoy Bridge Bergen
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Askoy Bridge Bergen

Askoy Bridge Bergen

Askoy Bridge Bergen

View on Askoy side from Bergen
Askoy Bridge Bergen


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