Feasibility Study for New Danube Bridge in Paks, Hungary

Abstract

As a part of the new Danube bridge project in the Baja – Kalocsa region the Government of Hungary ordered a feasibility study and location plan to prepare the new bridge investment. Primary goal of the feasibility study was to explore all requirements of the development and subsequent operation of the Paks City Nuclear Powerplant, and according to these suggestions - analyze the technical, environmental, social and economic aspects - to give proposals for the new place and structural system of the new bridge, and proposals for the indispensable implementation of the transport network elements necessarily needed. The key task of the feasibility study was to investigate, and compare the possible structural systems at the chosen location, and to define the optimal variant – for further developments until the level of permition plan. The optional structural system is highly influenced by the possible spans, which is primarily specified by water management and shipping management criteria, so these conditions were basic parameters at each variants. The following structural system variants were elaborated and investigated in the study plans: girder bridge, cable-stayed bridge, truss bridge, extradosed bridge and arch bridge. The building system, possible special building technology needs, estimated building time, estimated costs of maintenance and operation, and the aesthetics of the designed bridge were taken into consideration at the comparison of the structural systems. Because of the simplicity of construction method, advanced technology and aesthetic appearance, the extradosed bridge were preferred with 200+220+200 m inner spans for implementation. When making the feasibility study, one of the Client's requirements was to invest the economical railway connection of the nearby power plant through the bridge, that's why economical alternatives were presented for possible railway line realizations on the structure. The paper mentions the design parameters, the advantages and disadvantages of the presented concepts in the feasibility study. It presents the difficulties and solutions during design and construction phase.