Yesterday marked an important milestone in the construction of the new bridge across the Savinja River at Polule near Celje, Slovenia. The installation of the 65-meter-long central steel arch was successfully completed. The steel structure of the main span was first launched across temporary supports. Now, the central arch has been installed, followed by the installation of the hangers and the lowering of the structure by 1.5 meters. The steel structure itself weighs 535 tons.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.
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 during the 2023 floods. The new bridge will be 2.7 meters higher than the existing bridge.
Construction began at the beginning of 2025 and is scheduled for completion in 2026.
The works are being carried out by VOC Celje, while the steel structure was manufactured by Adteh and BS VAR. 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
