Not only does the road closure slow down traffic, but the workers' lives are also at risk during the highway renovation. The Swiss road maintenance office offers a solution to both problems with its new development, the Astra Bridge, a rolling bridge. Experts say that for safety reasons, larger sections of the road must always be closed for renovations than actually need repairing. Although installing the Astra also requires a road section to be closed, it can be done relatively quickly: just one weekend is enough when the traffic is lighter. The bridge elements are transported to the location by trucks and assembled on-site. The bridge is 257 meters long and 7.57 meters wide, with barriers protecting drivers from falling off.
The ramps at both ends make the ascent and descent smoother. A speed limit is still necessary: drivers can travel over it at a maximum speed of 60 km/h. However, this is a smaller sacrifice for drivers than having a lane closed for a long time, which would cause congestion. The overpass height is 4.65 meters, allowing workers to comfortably fit underneath while working. Another advantage is that it protects them from accidents, sunlight, and rain. Although it might be noisy to work under it, the speed limit reduces noise pollution. When a section is finished, a hydraulic lift raises the bridge by 10 centimeters so it can roll on its wheels to the next section.
Almost all vehicles, including trucks, can drive up onto the overpass, without needing to choose a different lane. For more interesting information, follow HVG Tech's Facebook page.
