Radhe Krishna 19-07-08

http://www.cowi.com/menu/news/newsarchive/2005/Pages/thailandtohaveworldslongestroadbridge.aspx

Thailand to have world’s longest road bridge

In the wake of economic growth, very long road bridges are being built. A new 47 km bridge in Thailand is the fifth in a row of similar international projects in which COWI is involved From Copenhagen city centre to Hamlet’s castle in the north of Zealand some 47 km distant - that is how far the world’s longest road bridge will run over water. The bridge will span the Gulf of Thailand south-west of Bangkok, significantly improving the local infrastructure and reducing noise pollution for millions of inhabitants.

The link will enable motorists to drive straight across the gulf and continue above the houses on land, where the bridge will be built over the rooftops – the total structure will be 90 kilometres in length.

International road bridges

The bridge in Thailand is the fifth in a row of very long international road bridges in which COWI is involved.

In Kuwait COWI is currently carrying out pre-studies and designing a 32 km road bridge that will connect overpopulated Kuwait City with the Subiyah development area, and COWI is conducting pre-studies for a 42 km long ‘friendship bridge’ that will link Qatar and Bahrain.

Causeway solutions are popularity

In China construction is currently under way on a 32 km long bridge, Dong Hai, to an island off Shanghai where major new port facilities are projected.

COWI assisted in the early design phases to find the optimal concepts. Finally, COWI was involved in the 25 km long Saudi-Bahrain causeway connection between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. All these bridges come at a time when society is becoming richer and there is a growing need for faster, easier ways of getting from A to B.

Cities grow bigger

"Causeway solutions are growing in popularity,” explains Project Manager Pisit Karnjanarujivut of local company Arun Chaiseri Ltd (ACS) in Thailand.

“While traffic must of necessity follow population growth and economic growth, the option of building an extensive network of roads and motorways on land is becoming increasingly difficult as cities grow ever bigger. A causeway is sometimes the most viable solution to the problem."

Massive logistical task

COWI can apply to the Thailand project its extensive experience gained from projects such as the Øresund Bridge linking Denmark and Sweden and the West Bridge of Denmark’s Great Belt bridge link. Building bridges across stretches of water presents very different challenges compared to building bridges on land.

"First and foremost, working at sea is a challenge in terms of the massive logistics operations involved and one which can be further exacerbated by the stormy seas and windy conditions that commonly occur,” explains COWI Department Manager Ejgil Veje.

“Sailing 20 km out to the middle of the bridge each day takes almost three hours. Therefore all structures are produced on land and sailed out by boat and crane. Finishing the concrete elements on land, where you can complete the work under virtual assembly line conditions, assures more durable structures.

The first foundations will be sunk in autumn 2005 and the bridge will be built in 100 metre stretches and completed in the next two-three years according to the present timetable.