Demka-spoorbrug, Railway bridge in Utrecht, Netherlands
Demka-spoorbrug is a railway bridge crossing the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal in Utrecht, built with a steel arch design measuring 255 meters in total length. It carries two railway tracks for train traffic and includes a narrow passage for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the waterway.
This bridge opened in 1970 as a replacement for an earlier 1890 structure that became inadequate when the Merwedekanaal was developed into the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal during the 1950s. The new construction improved the railway connection between Amsterdam and Utrecht.
The bridge carries the name of the former Demka steel factory that once operated nearby and played a central role in Utrecht's industrial past. This name serves as a reminder of the era when the city thrived through manufacturing and metalwork.
The bridge is accessible from above where you can watch train movements and boat traffic on the canal from the pedestrian path. The best views of the steel arch structure are found from the canal banks, especially when approaching from the north.
This bridge was constructed using rivets instead of welding, making it one of the last major Dutch infrastructure projects to use this traditional joining method. The riveted design represents a notable example of the transition between older and more modern construction techniques.
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