Sydbrücke

The Sydbrücke is a railway bridge located in Aarau, a city in the canton of Aargau in northern Switzerland. It spans the Sarner Aare, a tributary of the Aare River, and carries trains from the Gotthard railway line over the river.

The Sydbrücke is part of a larger railway infrastructure project that aims to increase the efficiency and capacity of the Gotthard line. The line, which connects Aarau to Lucerne and further on to the Swiss Alps, is one of the busiest and most important railway lines in Switzerland.

The construction of the Sydbrücke was initiated in the mid-1990s, and the project was completed in 1999. The bridge's design is notable for its slender and stylish appearance, which complements the surrounding landscape. The Sydbrücke has a total length of approximately 260 meters, with a maximum height of about 45 meters above the river.

The bridge features two tracks for passenger and freight trains, as well as a pedestrian path on the northern side of the bridge. The structure's main material is concrete, with steel reinforcements providing additional support. The bridge's superstructure is made of pre-stressed concrete weatherstrip plates, ensuring both stability and durability.

The operation of the Sydbrücke has significantly increased the capacity of the Gotthard line, thus reducing travel times between cities in the region. The bridge is an essential part of the Swiss railway infrastructure and contributes to improving the transportation of passengers and goods in the country. The Sydbrücke has undergone several modernizations and is continuously checked and maintained for its durability.