Frederick IX Bridge

The Frederik IX bridge (Danish: Frederik d. 9's Bro; named for King Frederik IX) spans the Guldborgsund strait between the islands of Falster and Lolland in Denmark. It joins the larger part of Nykøbing Falster with the smaller part of the town on Lolland. It is 295m long and 25m wide and was constructed between 1960 and 1962, opening officially on 14 May 1963.

Rail and road bascules in raised position
Frederick IX Bridge

The bridge has a central 20m span with two bascules, both on the eastern side of the bridge. One carries four lanes of vehicle traffic while the other carries a rail link. The two parts normally operate together. The bridge is manned during the day and opened on request for passing ships, but may only be opened once every half-hour. It is planned for the bridge to be re-equipped for automatic operation.

Chamber into which the bascule counterweights sink when raised, showing drive racks

The bascules consist of a long bridge span and a short counterweight section. Each bascule is supported by two pivot bearings, one either side. Two motors, one either side of the bridge, turn shafts passing through the centre of the pivot bearings. Further shafts take power to the rear of the counterweights, where there are pinions pressing against a rack mounted in the wall of the counterweight chamber, which drive the bascule.

Underside of raised bascules, showing tipped up railings and yellow driveshaft
Underside of bascules, showing bearings about which bascules rotate, and yellow drive shaft
Bascules falling

There is a decision to widen the bridge with one more rail track and to fit electric overhead line, in connection with the Fehmarn Belt Tunnel. In order to cut cost for this, there is a wish from the tunnel company to not allow bridge openings after this.[1]

See also


  1. Vil lukke broklappen over Guldborgsund - sejlere frygter omvej på over 90 kilometer
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.