Mega work started by Zoetermeer, Mandela bridge is hoisted away

In pouring rain, the removal of the Mandela bridge on the A12 at Zoetermeer began this morning.

Two special vehicles with about 200 wheels and a large steel construction on top are carefully driven under the bridge. Then they will lift and move the road surface with the glass construction, he reports Transmission in the West.

In November it was discovered that the Mandela Bridge, which spans Zoetermeer station and the A12, was partly on the verge of collapse. The part of the pedestrian and bicycle bridge that runs over the highway has been so damaged by the rotting concrete that it can no longer be repaired. The municipality closed the bridge. No trains stop at Zoetermeer station.

The A12 near Zoetermeer has been closed in both directions since Tuesday evening to give Rijkswaterstaat the opportunity to remove the bridge. It’s not a sinecure. The part of the bridge that hangs over the A12 has a weight of 800 tonnes.

“In all, around one million kilos have to drive on the A12,” said councilor Marijke van der Meer. “That’s why part of the road is first reinforced and protected with slabs.”

The bridge section will be moved to a site close to the A12. There it is hoisted by special vehicles with four cranes.

Rijkswaterstaat then begins hanging the new bridge section into place. The intention is that the A12 will reopen on Saturday morning at 08.00.

The remainder of the Mandela Bridge will remain in place during the operation. Additional support is provided here. Councilor Van der Meer expects the Mandela Bridge to be reused on January 15th. It all looks a little different then: the glass roof over the A12 won’t be back for the time being.