Sweden's second-largest city, Gothenburg, is situated on the west coast and is renowned to be the largest port in the Nordics and one of Europe’s most efficient logistics hubs, the region serves as a key point for both import and export.
The Port of Gothenburg handles a significant share of Sweden’s and the Nordics' cargo flows, making it a crucial player in global trade. The port is situated on both sides of the estuary of Göta älv dividing Gothenburg in the middle. The north shore, Norra Älvstranden, is on Hisingen island and the south shore, Södra Älvstranden, is on the mainland. It is a combined river and coastal port and the total length of the dock is 13.1 km.
The 2013 inspection of the previous bridge over Göta älv confirmed to the municipality that it was time replace it. As a result, they initiated an architectural competition to gather innovative ideas for its replacement. The result was the new Hisingsbron, a vertical-lift bridge in central Gothenburg, connecting the island of Hisingen to the mainland. The bridge was constructed between 2017 and 2021, replacing the Götaälvbro, and was inaugurated on 5 September 2021 by King Carl XVI Gustaf - the same year as Gothenburg's 400th anniversary.
The design of Hisingsbron incorporates a lift mechanism, offering a sail-free height of 12 meters in its standard position and 28 meters when raised. This allowed the bridge to be shorter than its predecessor, take up less space, be cheaper to build, free up land and be easier to pass for cyclists. However, due to its shorter design, the bridge must open for all cargo ships. To minimize disruption to commuter traffic, it is closed for three hours in both the morning and evening.
The heightened security situation globally prompted us to invest in a standby power generator for Hisingsbron. This ensures continuous operation and bridge openings in all circumstances, which is vital for various types of professional shipping, whether it involves freight transport or defence vessels.
The municipality chose the robust and mobile QAS+ 325 generator as backup power
Hisingsbron benefits from a redundant power supply through two separate grids—one from the mainland and one from Hisingen Island. However, given today's increasingly uncertain geopolitical climate, the Gothenburg municipality prioritized enhancing the bridge's autonomy by acquiring a standby power solution. This ensures operation even if the main grids fail. The municipality opted for the Atlas Copco QAS+ 325 mobile generator, chosen for its robust yet flexible design. The generator boasts a relatively small carbon footprint, reduced engine emissions, a variable speed drive (VSD) motor, improved fuel efficiency, 24-hour autonomy, and a lower total cost of ownership.
Facts about Hisingsbron
- Type of construction: Lift bridge
- Length: The high bridge section “Arpeggio” is 440 m. The public transport section covers the remaining length of the total 1.380 meters.
- Width: 40 meters
- Height: Sail-free height of 12 meters, 28 meters when raised
- Traffic: Two lanes for vehicle traffic and one lane for public transport in each direction. The bridge also features wider spaces for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as balconies with seating for those who wish to enjoy the view.
