Longest wooden bicyclebridge in Europe

On 1 February, the longest wooden bicycle and pedestrian bridge in Europe was opened in Oldambt, Groningen. The so-called Pieter Smit bridge – a design by architect Nol Molenaar – connects Winschoten and Blauwestad. The bridge is 800 meters long, 3.5 meters wide and consists of four combined bridges. The energy-efficient LED lighting provides minimal light pollution and has no impact on animal life.

The project was commissioned by the Municipality of Oldambt and the Province of Groningen by Strukton Civiel and Oosterhof Holman.

Sustainability was an important item in the construction of the Pieter Smit bridge. For that reason, an almost entirely wooden construction was chosen. The wood used comes from FSC managed forests in Africa and is built by the largest wood builder in the Netherlands, Koninklijke Houthandel G. Wijma en Zn. BV.

(Innovative Materials 2021 volume 5)