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The Ołowianka Bascule Footbridge in Gdansk—A Bridge That Makes the Difference



Author(s)

Rok Mlakar, Viktor Markelj and Dušan Rožič

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DOI:10.17265/1934-7359/2023.06.003

Ponting Consulting Engineering Bureau d.o.o. (Ltd), 2000 Maribor, Slovenia

In the city of Gdansk in Poland, in the very center of the Baltic capital, on 17th of June 2017, a new draw footbridge was ceremoniously opened to the public. The Ołowianka footbridge represents the long-time much needed link between the highly tourist-visited historical old town and Ołowianka Island, where further cultural, tourist and recreation facilities are located. The bridge spans a very busy navigable channel of the Motława River, leading inward towards other city channels, a harbor for many tourist ships and the Gdansk Marina. Being the main navigable entrance to the city center, the Motława is constantly under nautical traffic, so the Ołowianka footbridge operates 24/7, according to a 30-min schedule. The Ołowianka footbridge is an extraordinary acquisition for the city of Gdansk, which immediately became a new landmark and much more in the already very picturesque historic city center. Not just its design, but also its carefully chosen location and its realization at the right moment, has made this bridge indispensable to the inhabitants, visitors and the administration of the city of Gdansk, decisively contributing to further development in the Ołowianka Island area and its surroundings.

Bascule bridge, draw bridge, footbridge, bridge design, structural design, design competition, steel structure.