This week, concrete was poured on the deck of the left end inundation span of the new bridge in Polule. Work will follow on the right end inundation span and in the workshop, where the middle span steel structure is already being manufactured. The new, 110-meter-long bridge over the Savinja River is a significant step in reducing the risk of flooding in Celje. The bridge will improve local hydraulics during high stages of the Savinja River, while improving transport infrastructure and connectivity within the local community. The bridge project was prepared by Ponting Bridges. Meanwhile, two more structures—a retaining wall and a culvert—that were also designed in our office started to be built as part of the flood control measures in this Savinja River area.
The new bridge at Polule will span the Savinja River with a large main steel span without supports in the riverbed (two supports are temporary) and with two end inundation spans that extend into the roundabout on the right bank and the curve of the road on the left bank. The main span, which is 65 meters long, is designed as a steel ortho-composite structure with a steel arch, while the end inundation spans, each 22.5 meters long, are designed as concrete integral frame structures.
The 18.4 meters wide bridge will have two lanes, separated by an arch, and a separate area for safe crossing for cyclists and pedestrians. The bridge will replace the existing, dilapidated bridge, which has two intermediate supports in the riverbed and was damaged in the floods of 2023. The new bridge will be 2.7 meters higher than the existing bridge.
The contractor, VOC Celje, began the construction at the beginning of 2025. The project is scheduled to be completed by mid-2026. The investor of the investment is the Slovenian Water Agency (DRSV), and the project is financed from the funds of the Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Project details:
Bridge over Savinja River at Polule near Celje
