Summary
The iconic landmark Žeželj Bridge in Novi Sad was one of the seven bridges destroyed by bombing in 1999. The new bridge has been built in the same position and style as the old one, using the foundations of the affected central pile. The Žeželj bridge is a mixed-use road and rail bridge , 474 m long x 31,8 m wide, with two lanes for bicycles and pedestrians.
The two arches which make up this singular infrastructure are one of the longest of their type in Europe. It stands out as one of the largest spanning bridges in the world of its type (double arch with suspended platform). The shunting maneuver of the large arch (220 m and 6,500 tons plus 400 tons of pontoon) is comparable to trying to move the Eiffel Tower. What is more, the total weight of the bridge’s metal structure (11,300 tons) is greater than the Eiffel Tower (7,300 tons).
The two-arch Žeželj Bridge between Novi Sad and Petrovaradin was designed in 1961 as a combined road-rail bridge by Professor Branko Žeželj. A temporary road-rail bridge built after 1999 is an obstacle for navigation (limited heights at high water levels, limited fairway width due to curve radius), and compromised rail and road capacities due to its construction. The new bridge was reconstructed at the same location using the same foundation of the bombed bridge, and was one of the priority transport projects in Serbia.
The railway-road Žeželj bridge has a pivotal role in the Serbian’ transport network being on Corridor X, the primary road and railway transport route in the Balkans, connecting Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey to the south and Hungary, Austria and other central European countries to the north. The Danube, the second biggest river in Europe (Corridor VII) connects Hungary, Austria and Germany with the Black Sea. Now, it guarantees safe and efficient navigation.
Both corridors VII and X are part of the European transport network (TEN-T). The improved transport routes have a wider positive impact on economic development in the region, as transit and travel times for both passengers and freight are improved.
Serbia plays an active role in the connectivity agenda, which has extended TEN-T core network and corridors to the Western Balkans. This project shall leverage investments in transport infrastructure, notably along the agreed corridors with the aim to provide quality transport services for citizens and businesses.
The completion of the Žeželj Bridge also has a cultural impact in terms of restoring modern heritage in the Novi Sad, the capital of Vojvodina.
Detailed information
DG Neighborhood Enlargement
https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-
enlargement/sites/near/files/pdf/serbia/ipa/2011/15_access_roads_to_the_zezelj_bridge.pdf
Audio-video materials:
Connecting two-arches on Žeželj Bridge
https://youtu.be/iIbjlMUtVEA
Tour of works on Žeželj bridge
https://youtu.be/CF5LxEXcC-Q
Source: Railways of Serbia (Železnice Srbije)
http://www.azvi.es/en/azvi-successfully-launches-the-zezelj-bridge-arches-in-serbia/
https://youtu.be/ShqFUptlLFM?list=PLB5SdS7XnMNlMHR2lZXT4vCTyPjpBmzFe (Construction of the bridge)
Source: AZVI Grupo
https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/756444618/zezelj-bridge-novi-sad/
Flyers:
https://www.ale-heavylift.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Launching-of-Zezelj-Bridge-in-Serbia.pdf