Friesenbrücke

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The Friesenbrücke is a railway bridge in Weener, Germany, crossing the river Ems.

The first bridge was built under the name Emsbrücke Hilkenborg between 1874 and 1876.^[1] In June 1922 the lighter Hohenfelde, towed by the Theseus, collided with the bridge, making the construction of a new bridge necessary.^[2]

Between 1924 and 1926 the new bridge, a bascule bridge and the first Friesenbrücke, was built with a length of about 335 meters. During World War 2 it was blown up by German soldiers (Wehrmacht) to stop the Canadian soldiers at the Ems.^[2]

After World War 2, a new Friesenbrücke was built between 1951 and 1952, also a bascule bridge.^[2] The bridge wasn't wide enough to allow all newbuilts of the Meyer Werft in Papenburg to pass the bridge since the 1980s, so a second was created, which was opened by a crane vessel multiple times a year.

In December 2015 the bridge was damaged by the cargo ship Emsmoon. Since then, the bridge has been closed for railway. In the following days, the scrap was removed by a floating crane.^[3] Passing the bridge wasn't possible for ocean-going ships for about one week.^[4] The bridge was demolished in 2021/22.^[5][6]

A new Friesenbrücke is planned to be completed in 2024 as a swing bridge.^[7][8] Construction officially started in July 2021.^[9] The bridge will have a length of 337 meters. The swing element will have a length of 145 meters, the wide of the ship opening will be around 57 meters.^[10] The bridge keeper's house won't be demolished, and will get an additional floor.^[11][12][13] Construction of the superstructure in Weener started in July 2024.^[14][15][16]

Until the completion, there is ferry service between Weener and Westoverledingen.^[17]

In May 2024, a delay for around a half year was announced.^[18]

• Pictures right after of the accident
• August 2024

53°09′41″N 7°22′21″E / 53.1614°N 7.3724°E / 53.1614; 7.3724