This beautiful bowstring-arch-truss bridge of steel was constructed back in 1957 in the city Opole in Poland, near the Czech Republic boarder. However, in 2020 the city opted to refurbish the old bridge with new GFRP planks on the decking.

Composite is remarkable for having the same load-carrying capacity as steel and can usefully replace conventional bridges made of these materials. Consultant of the project of the Bolko Bridge was PBW Inzynieria Sp.z.o.o., Wroclaw.

Long life in all weathers

The bridge is 196m long and takes pedestrians and cyclists across the Odra River to Bolko Island.
In a wet and harsh environment like this, the weather conditions can have a severe impact on the life of the structures. A GFRP bridge deck will not rot, rust or require painting, and the city Opole can therefore look forward to both fewer inspections and fewer operating and maintenance costs.

Christian Scholze, Technical Solution Manager at Fiberline Building Profiles:
”As the deck is made of GFRP composite, it will neither crumble, rot or corrode, and maintenance will usually only be of a cosmetic nature. This will mean both a long-life bridge and lower operating costs.”.