Bridge of Wieck, Wooden bascule bridge in Wieck district, Greifswald, Germany.
The Bridge of Wieck is a wooden bascule bridge over the Ryck, connecting the Wieck and Eldena districts of Greifswald. Its two parallel lifting spans are framed by pale timber arms and lattice bracing, carried on heavy timber piles banded with metal standing in the water. It is 55.1 m long, 7.5 m wide, and leaves a 10.7 m passage for ships.
The bridge was built in 1887 by master shipbuilder Spruth, following design principles common in the Netherlands at the time. It replaced an earlier crossing and has served both foot traffic and river navigation ever since.
The bridge is named after Wieck, the fishing village on the west bank that it connected to Eldena. Until 1939, and again from 1990 to 2000, a bridge toll was charged, most recently 5 DM per motor vehicle up to 3 tonnes, while boats always passed free. Since 2001 the bridge has been closed to general motor traffic and serves mainly as a footbridge; residents pay 80 euros a year towards its upkeep.
Since 2001 the bridge has been closed to general motor traffic and serves mainly as a footbridge; only residents may cross with a special permit. The nearest other crossing of the Ryck is about five kilometres away, at the end of the navigable stretch by Greifswald's old town. The structure needs constant maintenance, so parts of the walkway may be cordoned off.
The bridge is one of the oldest wooden bascule bridges still in working order, and it has been a subject for photographers and painters. A bolt tore on 9 August 2004, dropping one of the heavy tension chains, which shows why the structure needs constant maintenance.
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