The Älvsborg Bridge (Swedish: Älvsborgsbron) is a suspension bridge over Göta älv in Gothenburg, Sweden, connecting the island of Hisingen with the mainland. It was designed by Sven Olof Asplund, and inaugurated on 8 November 1966 by Swedish communication minister Olof Palme.[1] The total length of the bridge is 933 metres and the distance between the pylons ("main span") is 417 metres, while the clearance below the deck is 45 metres. This clearance is well below the international standard for the largest cruise ships (65 metres), so many such ships have to dock outside the bridge. The pylons are 107 metres tall, making the bridge one of Gothenburg's most prominent landmarks. It takes its name from the mediaeval castle of Old Älvsborg, the ruins of which are located just a couple of hundred metres along the riverbank from the southern pylon.

Älvsborgsbron
Coordinates57°41′28″N 11°54′07″E / 57.691°N 11.902°E / 57.691; 11.902
CarriesSix lanes of traffic, pedestrians and bicycles
CrossesGöta Älv
LocaleGothenburg
Maintained bySwedish Transport Administration
Characteristics
DesignSuspension
Total length933 m
Height107 m
Longest span417 m
Clearance below45 m
History
Construction startAutumn 1963
Construction endDecember 1967
OpenedNovember 8, 1966
Statistics
Daily traffic65 000
Location
Map

The bridge was painted green for the 1995 World Championships in Athletics, which Gothenburg hosted. Work started in 1993 and used about 36,000 litres of paint.

The bridge acted as the finish line for the 2005–06 and 2014–2015 Volvo Ocean Race.

References

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  1. ^ Martin Grill (8 November 2016). "Älvsborgsbron fyller 50 år" (in Swedish). SVT Nyheter. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
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The silhouette of the Älvsborg Bridge from Ramberget, a misty afternoon. The Eriksberg crane in the foreground.