{{Short description|Bridge in Denmark}} {{Infobox bridge | name = King Frederik IX Bridge | native_name = Kong Frederik IX's Bro | native_name_lang = Danish | image = Frederick bridge from bank.jpg | image_upright = | alt = Frederik IX Bridge | caption = Frederik IX Bridge | coordinates = {{coord|54|45|32|N|11|51|58|E|region:DK_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | os_grid_reference = | qid = | refs = | carries = [[Danish national road 9]] <br/> [[Sydbanen]] <br/> [[Lollandsbanen]] | crosses = The [[Guldborgsund]] strait | locale = [[Region Sjælland]], [[Denmark]] | starts = [[Nykøbing Falster|Nykøbing]], [[Falster]] | ends = [[Sundby (Lolland)|Sundby]], [[Lolland]] | official_name = | other_name = | named_for = [[King Frederik IX of Denmark]] | owner = [[The Danish Road Directorate]] | maint = [[The Danish Road Directorate]] | heritage = | id = | id_type = | website = [https://www.vejdirektoratet.dk/kong-frederik-den-ixs-bro Vejdirektoratet.dk] | preceded = | followed = | design = [[Beam bridge|Beam]] [[bascule bridge]] | material = | material1 = | material2 = | length = {{convert|295|m}} | width = {{convert|33|m}} | height = opens | depth = | traversable = | towpath = | mainspan = | number_spans = | piers_in_water = | load = | clearance_above = | clearance_below = | lanes = | life = | first_length = | first_diameter = | second_length = | second_diameter = | third_length = | third_diameter = | capacity = | num_track = 1 | track_gauge = {{Track gauge|standard}} | structure_gauge = | electrification = | architect = | designer = | contracted_designer = | winner = | engineering = | builder = | fabricator = | begin = 1960 | complete = 1962 | cost = | open = <!-- or | opening = --> | inaugurated = 14 May 1963 | rebuilt = | collapsed = | closed = | replaces = | replaced_by = | traffic = | toll = | extra = <!-- extra = module = embed = --> }} The '''King Frederik IX bridge''' ({{langx|da|Kong Frederik den 9's Bro}}; named for [[Frederik IX of Denmark|King Frederik IX of Denmark]]) is a combined [[road bridge|road]] and [[railway bridge]] carrying the [[Danish national road 9]] as well as [[Sydbanen]] and [[Lollandsbanen]] [[railway line]]s across the [[Guldborgsund]] strait between the islands of [[Falster]] and [[Lolland]] in [[Denmark]]. It joins the larger part of the city of [[Nykøbing Falster|Nykøbing]] on Falster with the smaller part of the town on Lolland. The rail link is a part of the railway section of the [[Fugleflugtslinjen]] [[transport corridor]] between [[Copenhagen]], [[Denmark]] and [[Hamburg]], [[Germany]].
The bridge is {{convert|295|m}} and {{convert|33.3|m}} wide. It is a [[bascule bridge]] of [[beam bridge|beam design]]. The bridge carries four lanes of vehicle traffic and a single railway track.
== History == In 1867, after many years of discussion, a [[pontoon bridge]], the [[Christian IX Bridge]], was constructed across the [[Guldborgsund]] from [[Nykøbing Falster|Nykøbing]] to [[Lolland]], which at its inauguration was the longest in Denmark.{{sfn|Nørregård|1977|p=157-163}} Furthermore, in [[1875]] a separate [[railway bridge]] was constructed to allow for the [[railway line]]s on [[Lolland]] to reach Nykøbing.{{sfn|Nørregård|1977|p=157-163}} Both bridges were [[swing bridge]]s which could be opened for passing ships.{{sfn|Nørregård|1977|p=157-163}} These two bridges existed – with several reconstructions – until 1963.
The current Frederik IX Bridge was constructed between 1960 and 1962. The official opening was on 14 May 1963.
== Current construction == There is a decision to widen the bridge with one more rail track and to fit electric overhead line, in connection with the [[Fehmarn Belt Tunnel]]. In order to cut costs, a tunnel company wanted to disallow bridge openings.<ref>[https://www.tv2east.dk/guldborgsund/vil-lukke-broklappen-over-guldborgsund-sejlere-frygter-omvej-paa-over-90-kilometer Vil lukke broklappen over Guldborgsund - sejlere frygter omvej på over 90 kilometer]</ref> However, it was later decided that the new bridge will also open.<ref name=åbenByggeplads/>
In 2023, the construction was slated to complete in 2026.<ref name=åbenByggeplads>{{cite web|url=https://www.tv2east.dk/guldborgsund/600-lokale-kom-bag-hegnet-til-storstilet-brobyggeri|title=600 lokale kom bag hegnet til storstilet brobyggeri|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231110190613/https://www.tv2east.dk/guldborgsund/600-lokale-kom-bag-hegnet-til-storstilet-brobyggeri|archive-date=2023-11-10|publisher=TV2 Øst|lang=da}}</ref>
== Features == [[image:Frederick bridge bascules raised.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Rail and road bascules in raised position]] The bridge has a central 20m span with two [[Bascule bridge|bascules]], both on the eastern side of the bridge. One carries four lanes of vehicle traffic while the other carries a rail link. The two parts normally operate together. Bridge control is staffed during the day and opened on request for passing ships, but may only be opened once every half-hour. It is planned for the bridge to be re-equipped for automatic operation.
[[image:Frederick bridge counterweight chamber.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Chamber into which the bascule counterweights sink when raised, showing drive racks]] The bascules consist of a long bridge span and a short counterweight section. Each bascule is supported by two pivot bearings, one either side. Two motors, one either side of the bridge, turn shafts passing through the centre of the pivot bearings. Further shafts take power to the rear of the counterweights, where there are pinions pressing against a rack mounted in the wall of the counterweight chamber, which drive the bascule. [[image:Frederick bridge under raised bascules.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Underside of raised bascules, showing tipped up railings and yellow driveshaft]] [[image:Frederick bridge under bascules.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Underside of bascules, showing bearings about which bascules rotate, and yellow drive shaft]] [[Image:Frederick bridge bascule falling.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Bascules falling]]
==See also== * [[Danish national road 9]] * [[Lollandsbanen]] * [[Sydbanen]] * [[Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.trafikken.dk/wimpdoc.asp?page=document&objno=17178 Bridge data] * {{Structurae|id=20005932|title=Frederik den IX's Bro}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060628045046/http://www.highways.dk/danmark/broer/nykobingbro.php History of the bridge (in danish)]
== Bibliography == * {{cite book |last1=Nørregård |first1=Georg |title=Nykøbing Falster gennem tiderne <!--|volume=1--> |location=Nykøbing Falster |publisher=Nykøbing Falster Kommune |year=1977 |volume=1-2 |language=da |isbn=87-98-06-35-0-2 }}
{{Falster Denmark}} {{Lolland}}
[[Category:Bridges in Denmark]] [[Category:Beam bridges in Denmark]] [[Category:Bascule bridges]] [[Category:Road bridges in Denmark]] [[Category:Railway bridges in Denmark]] [[Category:Bridges completed in 1962]] [[Category:1962 establishments in Denmark]] [[Category:Frederik IX]]