Suspension bridge with engineering, suspension ropes, and Webnet
Initial situation and concept:
The new suspension bridge over the Glâne near Autigny is a steel pedestrian bridge that runs between the municipalities of Autigny and Posat in the Swiss canton of Fribourg. It was constructed in December 2024 and officially opened in May 2025.
The new bridge provides an attractive connection for hikers on the Way of St. James and for the local population. The old wooden bridge had previously been closed and demolished due to its poor and irreparable condition. A steel structure was preferred for the new construction because the location is very damp and shady, which accelerates the aging of wood as a building material.
The new hot-dip galvanized steel bridge was designed and assembled by apprentice metal construction designers, metalworkers, surveyors, reinforced concrete draftsmen, and bricklayers from the canton of Fribourg. The project enabled the young professionals to develop their professional experience and interdisciplinary collaboration. Professional associations, partners, and sponsors made this bridge construction project possible.
Construction and implementation:
The suspension bridge is 23 meters long and 1.8 meters wide. 3.5 tons of galvanized steel and 500 kilograms of stainless steel were used in its construction. The foundations consist of 28 cubic meters of concrete and 2.5 tons of reinforcing steel.
Jakob Rope Systems was allowed to create the statics for the suspension bridge. We were also able to supply the supporting ropes and Webnet stainless steel nets.
The suspension bridge consists of 4 supporting ropes (2 ropes below and 2 ropes above, OSS diameter 22 millimeters with Forte fittings), which are connected to each other with 4 steel frames. The integrated, statically activated Webnet (diameter 2 millimeters, mesh size 40 millimeters) serves as a railing filling and load-bearing element that connects the walkway of the suspension bridge to the upper supporting ropes.
