Erzbahnschwinge Bridge

A spectacular entry into the Erzbahntrasse. Architecturally interesting, but above all beautiful to look at and quite practical for cyclists and pedestrians. Actually, the route could also be called the bridge route. On the following kilometers there are still some remarkable bridge constructions...

Swingarm is the right name. Does not look like a bridge that's strong enough to cross, yet it's sturdy.

The 130-meter-long, S-shaped curved suspension bridge impresses with its construction and enables cyclists and pedestrians a spectacular crossing experience at the beginning of the ore track at Gahlenschen Straße in Bochum. The ore rail swing. Photo: RVR / Walter

Quote ruhrmetropole.de:
The double-curved suspension bridge over the Gahlensche road, since May 2004 it officially bears the name "Erzbahnschwinge", marks the beginning of the Erzbahntrasse on the northwestern plateau of the Westpark. The builder of this outstanding bridge construction, completed in 2003, was the then Kommunalverband Ruhrgebiet (today: Regionalverband Ruhr). The design is by the well-known Stuttgart bridge architect Professor Jörg Schlaich.

The 130-meter-long bridge, designed for cyclists and pedestrians, crosses the situation at this point from the road, railway tracks and pipe bridge. The S-shaped bridge consists of a steel construction braced with cables. Following the curved shape of the superstructure, two 32-meter-high masts inclined to the respective center of the circle were arranged, each carrying one half of the bridge. On guy ropes could be dispensed with, since the two masts are arranged so that the suspension cables connect tangentially, so they are in the center of gravity of the respective bridge half. For additional stabilization, the bases were created below the bridge. The anchoring of the suspension ropes was carried out at the abutments, which were built in the area of ​​the old abutment of the former bridge over the Gahlensche road. Matching the bridge, a sturdy and transparent rope net rail has been developed that does not compromise the appearance of the bridge structure while providing safety for pedestrians and cyclists.