Construction of Temporary Visserbrug for Cyclists and Pedestrians Has Began

The construction of a temporary replacement for the Visserbrug began this week in Groningen. Using a ship and crane, workers installed the first sheet pile wall in the Lage der A, a few dozen meters from where the Visserbrug once stood. The temporary bridge is expected to be ready by the end of the month, providing a crossing for cyclists and pedestrians. The temporary bridge will be a movable sliding bridge, allowing boat traffic to continue.

The Visserbrug was removed in early July due to technical issues with its controls. A broken hinge rendered the bridge unsafe to operate, leading to its removal for repairs. The bridge was carefully lifted out using cutting torches to loosen the hinges, turned, and placed on a pontoon. The bridge is now at the Rusthoven company, where it will undergo further inspection and repairs. Once the necessary work is completed, the Visserbrug will be returned to service, which is expected to take one and a half to two years.

In the meantime, minor finishing work is being completed around the quays, allowing shipping to resume until the temporary bridge is fully constructed. The temporary bridge is essential to maintain pedestrian and cyclist access in the area while the Visserbrug undergoes its lengthy repair process.