Deutz Suspension Bridge, Road bridge in Altstadt-Nord and Deutz, Cologne, Germany
The Deutzer Brücke spans 1,434 feet (437 meters) across the Rhine River in Cologne, connecting the districts of Altstadt-Nord and Deutz with a main span measuring 604 feet (184 meters) in length.
Originally completed in 1948 as the first steel-arch hollow construction bridge in the world, the Deutzer Brücke was expanded between 1976 and 1980 with a reinforced concrete twin structure added to its southern side.
The bridge received the Kölner Architekturpreis in 1967 for its design excellence, and its southern extension contains three hollow chambers now used for art installations, performances, and concerts that engage the local community.
The bridge currently measures 107 feet (32.6 meters) in width and accommodates two vehicle lanes, a dual-track tramway in the center, and sidewalks with bicycle paths on both sides for pedestrian and cyclist access.
Engineers Fritz Leonhardt and Gert Lohmer designed the bridge using a closed steel box girder positioned beneath the roadway, maintaining clear sightlines along the Rhine while pioneering prestressed concrete construction techniques for its era.
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