By: ViaCon Polska
Project Summary
A structural plate bridge replaced a mining-damaged crossing along National Road No. 44 near Pyskowice, Poland. The project improved safety, minimized traffic disruptions, and strengthened transportation infrastructure while reducing construction time by approximately six months.
Replacing a Crossing Damaged by Mining Activity
Infrastructure projects often face challenges that extend beyond normal aging and deterioration. Near the town of Pyskowice in Poland’s Silesian Province, decades of coal mining activity created ground movement that damaged an existing reinforced concrete box structure carrying National Road No. 44 over the Chudowski Stream.
As mining-related impacts continued to affect the crossing, transportation officials recognized the need for a long-term solution. The existing structure had deteriorated to the point that replacement became necessary to maintain safe travel and preserve critical transportation infrastructure along this important roadway.
Submitted by ViaCon Polska, the project became part of a larger repair program focused on restoring structures damaged by the effects of mining activity throughout the region.
Selecting a Structural Plate Bridge Solution
To replace the deteriorated crossing, the project team selected a deep corrugated structural plate bridge. The design was developed by GF MOSTY, a company with extensive experience addressing mining-related infrastructure challenges.
The structural plate bridge provided several advantages over traditional alternatives. In addition to meeting the project’s structural requirements, the solution offered construction efficiency and flexibility that proved especially valuable on a heavily traveled roadway.
Engineers evaluating similar bridge replacement projects can explore NCSPA’s Technical Resources and Design Data Sheets for additional information on structural plate bridge applications.
Maintaining Traffic During Construction
Keeping traffic moving was one of the project’s most important objectives.
National Road No. 44 serves as a significant transportation corridor in the Silesian region, and extended closures would have created substantial disruptions for motorists. To minimize impacts, the project team constructed a temporary bridge that allowed alternating traffic to continue using the route during demolition of the existing structure and construction of the replacement crossing.
This approach helped maintain mobility while work progressed and reduced inconvenience for the traveling public.
Reducing Construction Time by Six Months
Construction speed ultimately became one of the project’s most significant benefits.
An important factor in selecting structural plate technology was the ability to accelerate project delivery while maintaining quality and performance. According to the project team, the use of the structural plate bridge shortened the overall completion schedule by approximately six months.
That reduction allowed the roadway to return to normal operations much sooner than would have been possible with more conventional construction methods. Similar schedule advantages have made structural plate systems increasingly attractive for bridge replacement and transportation infrastructure projects around the world.
Design professionals evaluating long-term performance can also utilize NCSPA’s Structural Plate Service Life Calculator when comparing alternative bridge solutions.
A Durable Solution for the Future
Once completed, the new bridge received praise for both its appearance and performance.
Beyond restoring the crossing, the project provided a durable infrastructure solution designed to serve motorists for decades. The completed structure demonstrates how structural plate bridge systems can help agencies address challenging site conditions while minimizing traffic impacts and accelerating project schedules.
Additional research on structural plate performance, durability, and bridge applications can be found within NCSPA’s Studies & Reports library.
The Chudowski Stream project highlights how innovative bridge replacement strategies can restore critical transportation infrastructure while delivering long-term value for both agencies and the public.
Pictures taken by Artur Wojciechowski (ViaCon Polska).
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