The Netherlands’ longest arched railway bridge: the Zandhazen Bridge

With a main span of over 250 metres, the Zandhazen Bridge over the A1 motorway is the longest railway bridge in the country and the first to be constructed from S460 steel. Fun fact: the Zandhazen Bridge contains as much steel as the Eiffel Tower, and it owes its name to the nickname of the inhabitants of Muiderberg: Zandhazen. The village actually sits on a sand ridge.

The Zandhazen Bridge near Muiderberg is part of the large-scale infrastructure project SAA-A1/A6 Diemen-Almere Havendreef, which aims to increase road capacity between Schiphol, Amsterdam and Almere. To achieve this, a new steel railway bridge had to replace the existing concrete railway viaduct. The project aimed to create a functional, sustainable, aesthetically pleasing bridge that would blend in with the landscape and surrounding environment. Iv designed the new arched railway bridge and supervised its manufacture and assembly.

The construction of the Zandhazen Bridge presented several challenges. The bridge had to be both slender and strong, which was a challenge given the length of the span and the angle (± 27°) at which the railway line crosses the motorway. The use of S460 steel was necessary to limit weight and maintain slenderness. Specific knowledge and expertise in manufacturing and assembling this material were required. In addition, the existing railway bridge had to remain operational during the assembly and installation of the new bridge, which required detailed planning and innovative construction methods to minimise traffic disruption.

The Zandhazen Bridge has a significant impact on both the infrastructure and the landscape. The bridge greatly increases the capacity of both rail and road traffic. With a lifespan of at least one hundred years and optimum flexibility, the bridge provides a sustainable solution for future mobility needs.

Using S460 steel has resulted in a weight saving of almost 30% and has contributed to a reduced environmental impact through more efficient use of materials and transport. Additionally, the bridge contains innovative solutions such as the V-shaped hanger configuration and the damping of vortex excitation, which improves the structural integrity and comfort for train passengers.

The Zandhazen Bridge has also received recognition for its design and implementation. In 2018, the bridge received the National Steel Award, an award that recognises the innovative use of steel and its contribution to Dutch infrastructure.