After a year and a half of construction, a new bridge at Marija Gradec in Laško opened to traffic today. The bridge, designed by Ponting, connects the main Laško – Šmarjeta road on the right bank of the Savinja River with the Laško – Šentjur road on the left. The bridge will significantly divert heavy freight transport, serving the Pivovarna Laško brewery, from Laško’s centre.The 123 meters long bridge spans the Savinja River with two asymmetric spans of 75 and 48 meters and one river support, located outside the main watercourse on a gravel deposit formed as a hydraulic consequence of the river current flow.
»The bridge's design has a negligible impact on the river current and preserves the cultural heritage of the veduta to the church in Marija Gradec«, said the principal bridge engineer Rok Mlakar, project manager and bridge designer at Ponting. »We designed the bridge as a continuous prestressed frame structure over two fields with a box-shaped cross-section of variable construction height and an asymmetrically placed river support. Within the project, we also designed a larger anchored retaining wall, ensuring the stability of an extensive cut along the reconstructed main regional road behind the bridges western approach. «
Dr. Viktor Markelj, senior bridge designer, partner and director at Ponting, added: “In our work, we are always looking for the best project, which can be the most cost-efficient and also visually pleasing. The new bridge brings many benefits to the spa and brewery town of Laško. We are proud that the technically complex and modern structure feels calm and in harmony with its surroundings, and appreciate the support and trust of our client. «
The client of the project is the Slovenian Infrastructure Agency (DRSI), the construction was carried out by Kolektor Koling d.o.o. .
Also in Laško, spanning over Savinja River and designed by Ponting is
the cycle and footbridge Tremerje, completed in 2019. The bridge with a recognizable character is opening up space for cyclists and pedestrians, between lush overgrown banks, where the views of the river are most beautiful.
Project details:
Bridge over Savinja in Laško
