Wandre bridge

 

Wandre bridge straddles the Meuse and the Albert canal, linking Herstal to Liège. Designed by the designers, René Greisch, it replaced two separate bridges – one over each waterway – that had become obsolete following the widening of the Albert canal, whose width was increased from 35 metres to 85 metres. This bridge, inaugurated 1989, won an award for its designers, in addition to a significant amount of international recognition.

At 524 metres in length, the bridge is a cable-stayed structure with a single central pylon 102 metres in height, built in pre-stressed reinforced concrete. The main spans are 168 metres (Meuse) and 144 metres (Albert canal) respectively and are suspended from the pylon in the shape of an upside down Y by 19 cables (between 73 and 175 metres in length, spaced every 6 metres at deck level). The approach span from the left bank is anchored independently from the rest, curving to counteract any settling caused by the presence of old mine shafts.

The method of implementation used enabled uninterrupted service on both the roads and waterways, even though a large part of the bridge deck was built on the left bank and pushed out into position, an unprecedented technique for cable-stayed bridges. This architectural world first is suitably enhanced by night lighting in place since the design stage.

Listed: 6-05-1993

Exceptional heritage site of Wallonia