Hovbrua

Hovbrua, meaning "the Hov Bridge" in Norwegian, is the name of more than one bridge in Norway. The name is derived from the place name Hov, which occurs in several municipalities, and is used locally to designate a crossing over a river or stream. Because the same name has been applied to different structures, each Hovbrua refers to a distinct bridge in its own locality, and context is needed to identify the exact installation.

Most Hovbrua are part of municipal or county road networks and serve as everyday crossings for residents and traffic. They are typically built to accommodate standard domestic loads and local speeds, and vary in design from simple concrete or steel girder bridges to small arch or beam structures. The exact length and number of spans depend on the watercourse and site conditions; many are single-span or two-span arrangements crossing narrow channels.

Historically, Hovbrua entries date from different periods; some were constructed in the early to mid-20th century as part of regional infrastructure development, while others have undergone modernization or replacement in recent decades to improve safety, durability, and accessibility. Today, maintenance and upgrades are managed by local municipalities or county authorities, with inspections following national standards for bridges.

Notable references to Hovbrua typically appear in municipal archives, road atlases, or regional infrastructure databases.

See also: Hov (disambiguation), List of bridges in Norway.