– It’s a challenging exercise, but it’s really not that much different from the other one I’ve been involved in, says Mette Koch Sonnenborg, project manager in Banedanmark for KFIX.
KFIX needs to be fixed
KFIX is Banedanmark’s internal language for King Frederik den Niendes Bro, the only rail connection between Falster and Lolland. On 29 October, the client, Banedanmark, and the contractor, MT Højgaard, will officially start the construction of the new railway bridge, which is to be built right next to the existing one.
There is only one railway track over the current bridge. With the expected large increase in train traffic over the bridge as a result of the Fehmarnbelt tunnel, it will be one too few. And since King Frederik IX’s bridge cannot be extended with an extra one, a new one must be built next to the old one.
Must take traffic into account
Furthermore, since the bridge is right next to the entrance to the harbor in Nykøbing Falster, and Guldborgsund is also a heavily traveled waterway – especially for yachtsmen – account must be taken of traffic both on water and on land during the construction period.
29 downhole pipes to be filled with concrete
Therefore, the new bridge must be built on 29 piers, which are constructed by drilling pipes 30 meters into the seabed and filling them with concrete. The concrete is pumped into the pipes from a truck that is parked on the bridge. In this way, there will be minimal inconvenience to ship traffic, and it will be sufficient to block a single lane on the carriageway across the bridge.
– That method was chosen because we have to build so close to an existing bridge. It disturbs less than having to knock down poles. And only a very limited extent will be blocked for passage, says Mette Koch Sonnenborg.
Do not disturb sugar beet traffic
Banedanmark has also received strict orders that there must be no roadblocks on the bridge during the beet season, as this will disrupt the traffic with sugar beet to the sugar factory in Nykøbing Falster. On top of the 29 bridge piles, a total of 11 bridge spans must be installed in addition to the two flap spans that will enable ships to pass through the strait.
Already working
The contractor, MT Højgaard, is already starting construction work on land, which can be clearly seen when you pass over the bridge. A concrete plant and working harbor must be built for the project, and the strait must also be deepened.
