Prolonging The Life-Time of New Deal Bridges

Abstract

Bridges constructed during the depression of the 1930ties are now at the end of their lifetime. Similar to Roosevelts “new deal” from this period, leading to creation of employment and wealth, EU is now proposing a “new green deal” to reach climate neutrality. But how can the transformation of these bridges be done to support such an agenda? The framework of understanding proposes uses a broader sustainable transition framework integrating megaproject management concepts, circularity and science technology and society (STS) concepts. Circularity in civil engineering and mega projects are still somewhat underconceptualised. Here the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE UK)-s concepts are used. To this is added the notion of hierarchy of reuses, taken from EU concept of “hierarchy of waste”. The contribution present analysis a specific case of a Danish bridge made in the 1930ties, the 3200 meters long Storstrømsbro. We analyse how the actual sustainable transition work is carried out at the old and new bridge. Building further on a broader portfolio of Danish bridges built during the same period, we propose a more sustainable transition. So far consultants have proposed to use the Building Research Environment (BRE) standard for civil infrastructure for the Storstrømsbro but where this provide a processual model, there is little guidance as to which solutions is the more sustainable for demolition. Some bridges clearly faces to be demolished, some are transformed into secondary crossings, but potentially they could be renovated to serve society with a sustainable circular solution. New Green Deal is part of the EU plan for mitigating climate change. This includes circularity. However, changing existing infrastructure into circular artefacts might prove difficult and run into technological momentum.