Renovation of the Wilhelmshaven dyke bridge

Find out more about how we contributed to the renovation of the dyke bridge in Wilhelmshaven.

In 2019, we were commissioned by Technische Betriebe in Wilhelmshaven (a company owned by the city of Wilhelmshaven) to carry out an as-built survey of the dyke bridge. The superstructure with the roadway, trusses etc. and the substructure with the bearings, support surfaces, rails etc. were measured and visualised in charts.

In 2020, we were commissioned by the general contractor to support the construction project with our surveying services. The initial work began with recording further bridge sections for planning purposes. A high-precision control point network had to be created for the entire duration of the project. Reference points were set at the bridge and at Jadeallee (location of the bridge) and measured and leveled by means of a network measurement and leveling. This was used to record the original position of the bridge. After the excavation work at the end of 2020, the Jadeallee was marked out and measured during construction. For example, we supported the alignment of the traffic bearings or the setting out of the concrete parts of the pivot pillar.

In 2021, work began on the swing bridge and the foreland bridge. These were located separately from each other in an enclosure made of scaffolding at Hannoverkai in Wilhelmshaven, about 2 km as the crow flies from the actual location on Jadeallee. This was followed by the alignment and measurement of the counterweight box on the swing bridge after it had been completely renewed and the alignment of the roadway elements on the swing and foreshore bridge.

Unfortunately, the general contractor had to file for insolvency in 2022 and construction was put on hold for a while. After several new tenders and the awarding of contracts to a new general contractor, we were also commissioned to continue the surveying in 2023. The consortium consisting of Klaas Siemens GmbH from Emden and Nietiedt Stahl- und Metallbau GmbH from Wilhelmshaven then measured and checked the superstructure (roadway elements, checking the concrete heights and position on Jadeallee, setting out the walk-through protection, setting out consoles for the east sidewalk).

A full survey of the swing and foreshore bridge was carried out at the end of 2023. Among other things, the revised storage areas, the roadway, various attachments were measured and the controlpoint network extended. This measurement was the basis for the ongoing, high-precision work and alignment of components on the bridge itself, and then again for work on Jadeallee from the beginning of 2024. The machine components, such as the kingpin, gear rim and eccentric, as well as all bearings, had to be aligned in the sub-millimeter range in some cases.

The challenge was the high degree of precision required to ensure that the bridge would later rest exactly on the bearings again within a very tight schedule.

On 08.05.2024, the time had finally come. The largest floating crane in Germany, Enak from Hamburg, transported the swing bridge and the foreshore bridge to their original position. When the news came from those responsible that everything was fine, it was a load off everyone’s mind. Our surveyors provided surveying support throughout the excavation work and will also assist with the remaining work afterwards.

All in all, we would like to thank everyone involved in the project. The work was always challenging but was always a great pleasure for our employees on site.