Asfinag/Kapsch TrafficCom: Green Gantry - Toll bridge made of wood saves CO2

Environmental benefits are promised by a construction developed by Kapsch TrafficCom: Unlike conventional toll bridges made of steel or aluminum, which are associated with significant emissions due to their manufacturing and recycling processes, the so-called Green Gantry is built from wood. Installed on the S 37 in Carinthia, it is expected to store 15 tons of CO2 - comparable steel bridges would cause up to 30 tons of CO2 during production, according to the information provided.

"Our Green Gantry not only has a positive CO2 balance but is also just as load-bearing and more environmentally friendly than a conventional toll bridge," said Michael Weber, Head of Sales EMENA at Kapsch TrafficCom, adding: "Furthermore, it meets all relevant European norms and standards for toll bridges, so it is just as safe to use, easy to maintain, and can be dismantled and recycled without additional environmental impact after a lifespan of at least 20 years."

More Wood for Highways

According to Asfinag board members Hartwig Hufnagl and Herbert Kasser, they aim to set new standards in sustainable construction: "Wood as a building material can play a major role on highways in the future."

The supporting core and thus the majority of the new toll bridge is to be made of spruce laminated timber. Weather-resistant larch wood was used for the outer layer of this supporting core. This could be easily repaired in case of damage.