Hert ecoduct is part of the reconstruction work on the provincial road N225 near Rhenen. The bridge is located east of the military cemetery on the Grebbeberg.

The passage - 2.6 meters wide and 24 meters long - is intended for smaller animal species, such as the badger, pine marten and squirrel. It allows them to cross more easily and safely between forest areas and increase their habitat.

Sustainable investment
Initially, the ecoduct was to be constructed in concrete, but project contractor BAM Wegen chose composite for a number of reasons. The material has a long lifespan and is maintenance-free, making it a sustainable investment. In addition, the fiberglass-reinforced plastic is much lighter than concrete. The ecoduct now weighs only eleven tons.

Deck and support structure of the animal bridge are entirely composite. For a visually attractive and safe finish, the walls are covered with wooden bulkheads. Accoya was chosen here; this modified wood is dimensionally stable and durable. In terms of lifespan, the wood, like the composite, should last about a hundred years.

Text: architectenweb.co.uk