Road bridge over the TersluisBlock girder bridge as the entrance to the national park

On behalf of HessenForst and the Kellerwald-Edersee National Park, a new bridge was built in Vöhl-Asel to replace a dilapidated existing structure. The original bridge connected the K32 district road with a car park for hikers and formed the “entrance gate” to the national park, which is heavily frequented by tourists. Due to serious damage, it was recently completely closed to motorised traffic.

The new bridge restores this important connection – for hikers, cyclists and also for forestry vehicles up to 12 tonnes. A single-span, double-span slab girder in timber-concrete composite construction was chosen as the supporting structure, which impresses with its robust, sustainable construction and clear design.
The main beams made of glulam were prefabricated in the factory and completed in the precast concrete plant with a carriageway slab to form a superstructure with a total height of just 52 cm. The force-fit connection is made using shear connectors. The system is completed with reinforcement anchors as tension protection.

The supporting structure is designed as a protected timber bridge in accordance with DIN EN 1995-2/NA. The waterproofing is carried out with a reaction resin bonded thin coating system (RHD), the transitions to the abutment are realised with a watertight transition construction. Concrete overhangs and targeted structural timber protection permanently protect the load-bearing timber components from moisture and the effects of the weather. Chemical wood protection is therefore not required.

The design is complemented by a restrained steel railing with filler rods made of branched robinia wood – a detail that harmoniously integrates the bridge into the rustic landscape of the national park.