Is it possible for a bridge to whisper tales of innovation and resilience? We are standing before the Gamla Skurubron. It is no ordinary bridge. It is a testament to human ingenuity and a silent witness to Stockholm’s evolving landscape.
The Gamla Skurubron gracefully arches over the Skurusundet. This bridge connects Södermanland and Uppland. These are two historic landscapes. It represents more than just a crossing point. It embodies the spirit of progress.
Let us journey back to the early 19th century. Imagine a simpler time when a flottbro served as the first crossing. It was built around 1830 by the Wermdö Brobyggnadsbolag. Immanuel Nobel oversaw its construction. He was Alfred Nobel’s father. This early bridge had a unique design. It allowed rowboats and sailboats to pass freely. Higher vessels could pass through an opening section. People paid a toll to cross.
However this flottbro had its limitations. The opening and closing procedure was cumbersome. Gustavsbergsbolaget decided to commission a high bridge. This bridge would allow both water and road traffic to flow freely. Initially they planned an iron structure. Arcus AB won the construction bid. They chose reinforced concrete. This was an untested material for such a large construction.
In 1914, the renowned bridge constructor Axel Björkman began work. His firm Arcus AB designed a 284-meter-long arch bridge. It featured a 72-meter arch soaring 32 meters above the waterway. The bridge was initially 6.7 meters wide. At its apex it measured 1.05 meters thick. The supporting arches spanned approximately 49 meters. They reached a height of 21 meters. The bridge used 5400 cubic meters of Visby cement. 3700 cubic meters were reinforced concrete. Construction lasted from April 1914 to July 1915. Tor Kempe assisted Björkman with the construction drawings. It was Northern Europe’s largest concrete bridge at the time. Architect Lars Israel Wahlman provided architectural advice.
One major challenge was erecting the scaffolding for the main arch. To do this, they created an artificial island in the middle of the fairway. The water here was six to ten meters deep. The island consisted of sand masses. It was reinforced with coarse wooden piles. From this island rose a monumental sun-shaped scaffolding. It supported the formwork. The scaffolding could bear a load of 2000 tons. When the scaffolding under the central arch was removed eight weeks after the pouring, it sank only 4 millimeters. Later they dredged away the artificial island.
The construction coincided with World War I. At its peak, the project employed 120 men. Mobilization during the war reduced this to about 70. King Gustaf V inaugurated the bridge on October 18, 1915. The construction cost 276,000 kronor. It was a technical marvel.
Today, this first high bridge forms the southern half of the Gamla Skurubron.
To meet increased traffic demands, they built a new Skurusundsbro south of the old one. The new Skurubron opened for traffic in 2023. Now the Gamla Skurubron will be renovated and rebuilt. The bridge half leading towards Stockholm will become a pedestrian and bicycle path. The other half will serve local traffic.
The Gamla Skurubron stands as a symbol. It represents Stockholm’s past and its path to the future. It embodies innovation, perseverance, and community spirit. As you cross this historic structure, remember the countless stories. They are etched into its concrete arches. Consider the visionaries who dared to bridge not just a waterway. They bridged eras.