Austria Bridges 90 to 100 meters
Äußere Nösslachbrücke (96 meters high) is the largest and highest of 3 arch bridges in close proximity along a stretch of the Brenner Autobahn. Referred to as the Outer Nosslach bridge, the 558 foot (180 mtr) span arch is located just south of Nösslach while the Inner or Second Nosslach bridge with a span of 361 feet (110 mtrs) is just north of the exit. The highway travels through the famous Brenner Pass - one of the few routes through the Alps between Austria and Italy. The most notable bridge along the highway is Europabrücke, the 623 foot (190 mtr) high beam bridge just south of Innsbruck.
One of the highest footbridges in Europe, the Benni Raich or Arzl i. Pitztal Pedestrian suspension bridge (94 meters high) has unique V-shaped towers that keep the main cables 87 feet (26.4 mtrs) apart at the top. The shallow angle of the hanger cables prevents the triangular truss from moving in the wind. Critical flutter velocity is 195 km/hour while maximum wind speed recorded at the site is 160 km/hour. Designed to carry a wastewater pipeline, the footpath is just 5 feet (1.5 mtrs) wide. The truss weighs in at 46 tons.
Benjamin Raich was one of Austria’s greatest alpine skiers. The famous skier stated that bungee jumping was one of his hobbies. Not surprisingly, the bridge has a permanent bungee operation where you can drop into the beautiful Pitzenklamm gorge. For information visit http://www.club-alpin-pitztal.at/bungy/bungy.htm.
Overlooking the small town of Leoben, the Talübergang Leoben (90 meters high) is one of the few arch bridges on Austria’s spectacular A10 Tauern Autobahn. Just 2 miles (3 kms) to the south is the equally high Talübergang Eisentratten beam bridge. To the north of Leoben about 2 miles (3 kms) is the 100 meter high Kremsbrücke.
One of several tall bridges on the A10 Tauern Autobahn, the beam bridge Talübergang Eisentratten (90 meters high) casts a long shadow over the small town of Eisentratten with a main span of approximately 328 feet (100 mtrs). Just 2 and 4 miles to the north are equally spectacular high bridges at Leoben and Kremsbrücke.
Another beautiful Austrian railway bridge in a picture perfect alpine setting, the Trisanna bridge (88 meters high) has a 394 foot (120 mtr) main span that has been reconstructed several times since the bridge first opened in 1884. The original span was a truss-arch that was first strengthened in 1908 to handle heavier trains. In 1922 the span was converted into a lenticular truss from the addition of an under slung truss chord below the deck. For over 40 years the oval lenticular truss gave the bridge a signature look that made it a symbol of the eastern Arlberg rail line. That finally changed in 1964 when a more conventional tied arch replaced the lenticular truss in a maneuver that only interrupted rail traffic for 10 hours. The bridge is located just south of Pians, Austria.
Constructed in 1964, the Jauntal bridge (87 meters high) was the last tall European railway bridge to be constructed before the high speed rail craze began in the 1980s. The bridge has become the site of a popular bungee jumping operation. You can find out more here: http://www.bungy.at/de/index_bungee.php There are several Youtube videos like this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87J007JKSNQ&feature=related
A hidden gem lost in the Austrian Alps, the Angertalbrücke (85 meters high) or Angerschluchtbrücke tram rail arch was constructed in 1905 near the town of Bad Hofgastein. With a main span of 361 feet (110 mtrs) and depth of just 53 feet (16.1 mtrs) above the foundations, this truss-arch is a slender and well proportioned structure. There are reports of a new concrete double track railway bridge bypassing the 100+ year old arch which would then be converted into a road or bicycle bridge. You can read more about the bridge and railway on this German language Salzburg Wiki page: http://www.salzburg.com/wiki/index.php/Angertalbr%C3%BCcke
