Frederick IX Bridge

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Frederick IX Bridge

The Frederick IX bridge (named for King Frederick IX) spans the Guldborgsund strait between the islands of Falster and Lolland in Denmark. It joins the larger part of Nykøbing Falster with the smaller part of the town on Lolland. It is 295m long and 25m wide and was constructed between 1960 and 1962, opening officially on 14 May 1963.

Rail and road bascules in raised position

The bridge has a central 20m span with two bascules, both on the eastern side of the bridge. One carries four lanes of vehicle traffic while the other carries a rail link. The two parts normally operate together. The bridge is manned during the day and opened on request for passing ships, but may only be opened once every half hour. It is planned for the bridge to be re-equipped for automatic operation.

Chamber into which the bascule counterweights sink when raised, showing drive racks

The bascules consist of a long bridge span and a short counterweight section. Each bascule is supported by two pivot bearings, one either side. Two motors, one either side of the bridge, turn shafts passing through the centre of the pivot bearings. Further shafts take power to the rear of the counterweights, where there are pinions pressing against a rack mounted in the wall of the counterweight chamber, which drive the bascule.

Underside of raised bascules, showing tipped up railings and yellow driveshaft

Underside of bascules, showing bearings about which bascules rotate, and yellow drive shaft

Bascules falling

[edit] External links

• Bridge data
• Frederik den IX's Bro in the Structurae database
• History of the bridge (in danish)

Coordinates: 54°45′32″N, 11°51′58″E

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