Puente Nuevo (Murcia)
Encyclopedia
El Puento Nuevo or Puente de Hierro (Spanish for Iron Bridge) is a parabolic metallic bridge spanning the Segura
River, completed in 1903 and located in the city of Murcia
(Region of Murcia
, Spain). As the second bridge built in the city city across the river, was called New Bridge to distinguish it from the old bridge (Puente Viejo o Puente de los Peligros
), even though today it is the second oldest of the city.
with a budget of 592,982.95 pesetas finishing work on 21 February 1903.
The bridge had a central span (46.80 meter long) with external platforms and an upper parabolic chord supported by tubular cells, and eight additional spans of 11.25 m each supported on metallic girders. These height access spans were demolished with the channelling of the river in the 60s, remaining in place only the central parabolic span.
The restoration project was conducted in June 2001 by Javier Manterola
. After a series of preliminary studies which confirmed the validity of the proposed restoration, works began on July 26, 2002. The bridge reopened to the public on May 13, 2003.
Segura
Segura is a medium-sized river in southeastern Spain.It starts at Santiago Pontones , passes Calasparra, Cieza, Murcia, Beniaján, Orihuela, Rojales and ends in the Mediterranean Sea near Guardamar del Segura in the province of Alicante...
River, completed in 1903 and located in the city of Murcia
Murcia
-History:It is widely believed that Murcia's name is derived from the Latin words of Myrtea or Murtea, meaning land of Myrtle , although it may also be a derivation of the word Murtia, which would mean Murtius Village...
(Region of Murcia
Region of Murcia
The Region of Murcia is an autonomous community of Spain located in the southeast of the country, between Andalusia and Valencian Community, on the Mediterranean coast....
, Spain). As the second bridge built in the city city across the river, was called New Bridge to distinguish it from the old bridge (Puente Viejo o Puente de los Peligros
Puente de los Peligros
The Puente de los Peligros or also known as the Puente Viejo is an arched stone bridge, completed in 1742, that spans the River Segura in the city of Murcia ....
), even though today it is the second oldest of the city.
Construction
It was designed in 1894 by the civil engineer José María Ortiz and was built by the company Materiales para Ferrocarriles y Construcciones of BarcelonaBarcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
with a budget of 592,982.95 pesetas finishing work on 21 February 1903.
The bridge had a central span (46.80 meter long) with external platforms and an upper parabolic chord supported by tubular cells, and eight additional spans of 11.25 m each supported on metallic girders. These height access spans were demolished with the channelling of the river in the 60s, remaining in place only the central parabolic span.
Traffic clousure and restoration
In March 2001, the bridge was closed to traffic for structural reasons. Murcia City Council decided its restoration trying to preserve as much as possible the original structure. This led to its transformation into a pedestrian-only bridge because the original bridge was not designed for the traffic loads required by the current Spanish bridge standards (IAP-98).The restoration project was conducted in June 2001 by Javier Manterola
Javier Manterola
Javier Manterola Armisén is a Spanish civil engineer and professor at the Escuela Superior de Ingenieros de Madrid. Manterola is particularly known for his work as a bridge designer of the engineering firm Carlos Fernández Casado...
. After a series of preliminary studies which confirmed the validity of the proposed restoration, works began on July 26, 2002. The bridge reopened to the public on May 13, 2003.