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Despite the headline the details seem eminently reasonable. The bridge isn't going anywhere. They just asked the town if they can R&R the middle section of th

Despite the headline the details seem eminently reasonable. The bridge isn't going anywhere. They just asked the town if they can R&R the middle section of the bridge because the boat can't pass under it. This is a movable railway bridge so the R&R procedure is very, very simple and non-intrusive compared to any sort of bridge with a static span where the middle may be integral to the strength of the rest. This sort of temporary removal of infrastructure is bog standard in the "hauling absurdly large and heavy things" world. It'll probably be a 9pm-5am closure or something like that and the locals will get to look at a larger than usual boat moored just upstream of the bridge and a large marine crane moored downstream in the days leading up to it.

Retric 5y ago
It’s a historic bridge not in active use.
- weatherlight 5y ago
  That's worse, it implies with enough money, something designated historical for cultural reasons can be bought, modified, commodified, or changed to accommodate the whims of one exceptionally wealthy man.
  - deleted 5y ago
    [deleted]
  - musingsole 5y ago
    Does it? To me, it implies that pride is the only actual utility of the bridge. Disabling the bridge wouldn't even inconvenience the municipality. So, lifting the bridge up and then putting it back down over the course of a couple hours is only as expensive as the labor to do it plus the risk to damaging the bridge. From the view of a city council who may or may not love this monument, it's a complete and utter win: * Tell the whole world we have this monument * Collect money from the idiots who need to move it * Collect even more money from the idiots if they screw it up.
  - pharke 5y ago
    It's a historic railroad bridge that was originally designed to allow the passage of ships. Both its original use and the accommodation afforded by its design show deference to the city's industrial economy. I'd bet 10:1 that if the original designers were around today and you asked them what we should do they'd say "Just remove the middle part, that's why we built it that way" and would have no qualms about it.
geoduck14 5y ago
You are right. This bridge is designed for commerce to travel under it. I really don't think this is a big deal. https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=koningshaven+bridge&id=27A75CE49B72E126E78786DC92BFF763EA70B899&FORM=IQFRBA&PC=U316 https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=koningshaven+bridge&id=...
crote 5y ago
It's a monumental bridge dating back to 1878, being the first of its kind in Europe. It was one of the first bridges to be reconstructed after the heavy bombardment of Rotterdam during WWII, and is a national monument. It holds significant value to the people living in the city. Any damage to it would be unacceptable. Meanwhile, the yacht-under-construction was partially constructed at a different boat wharf, and moved to the current location for finishing - including installing the masts. They could have chosen to finish it downstream of the bridge but chose not to due to convenience. Partially deconstructing a historic landmark to make it more convenient to build a billionaire's toy is not a good look.
- andylynch 5y ago
  I’m sure it’ll be fine. Bridges and especially metal drawbridges like this need constant maintenance and inspection. Have the shipyard pay for this work is properly a great deal for the port.

Retric 5y ago

It’s a historic bridge not in active use.

weatherlight 5y ago
That's worse, it implies with enough money, something designated historical for cultural reasons can be bought, modified, commodified, or changed to accommodate the whims of one exceptionally wealthy man.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
- musingsole 5y ago
  Does it? To me, it implies that pride is the only actual utility of the bridge. Disabling the bridge wouldn't even inconvenience the municipality. So, lifting the bridge up and then putting it back down over the course of a couple hours is only as expensive as the labor to do it plus the risk to damaging the bridge. From the view of a city council who may or may not love this monument, it's a complete and utter win: * Tell the whole world we have this monument * Collect money from the idiots who need to move it * Collect even more money from the idiots if they screw it up.
- pharke 5y ago
  It's a historic railroad bridge that was originally designed to allow the passage of ships. Both its original use and the accommodation afforded by its design show deference to the city's industrial economy. I'd bet 10:1 that if the original designers were around today and you asked them what we should do they'd say "Just remove the middle part, that's why we built it that way" and would have no qualms about it.

geoduck14 5y ago

You are right. This bridge is designed for commerce to travel under it. I really don't think this is a big deal. https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=koningshaven+bridge&id=27A75CE49B72E126E78786DC92BFF763EA70B899&FORM=IQFRBA&PC=U316 https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=koningshaven+bridge&id=...

crote 5y ago

It's a monumental bridge dating back to 1878, being the first of its kind in Europe. It was one of the first bridges to be reconstructed after the heavy bombardment of Rotterdam during WWII, and is a national monument. It holds significant value to the people living in the city. Any damage to it would be unacceptable. Meanwhile, the yacht-under-construction was partially constructed at a different boat wharf, and moved to the current location for finishing - including installing the masts. They could have chosen to finish it downstream of the bridge but chose not to due to convenience. Partially deconstructing a historic landmark to make it more convenient to build a billionaire's toy is not a good look.

andylynch 5y ago
I’m sure it’ll be fine. Bridges and especially metal drawbridges like this need constant maintenance and inspection. Have the shipyard pay for this work is properly a great deal for the port.