Rande Bridge Widening: A 400-m-Span Cable-Stayed Bridge Expansion

Abstract

Built between 1973 and 1977 and first opened in 1981, the Rande Bridge was at the time of its completion one of the largest cable-stayed bridges in the world. By 2006, the bridge had reached its maximum capacity and either an expansion or a replacement was needed. Following thorough studies, an expansion in the form of two additional girders, located on either side of the existing deck, was finally selected. Although the foundations needed no retrofitting, the existing towers and anchor piers required some work to accommodate the new girders and their stay anchorages. A careful execution and a detailed construction sequence have allowed a fast erection pace while maintaining the traffic at all times, a requirement needed due to the great importance of the motorway running over the bridge for the area. The successful completion of the Rande Bridge expansion, the first of its kind and size in cable-stayed bridges, has revealed new possibilities to adapt existing major bridges to an increased traffic demand by adding extra traffic lanes.