Tunnel: (Satellite)
China companies breached their contract because they subcontracted too much work; it took too long to build; and the bridge has cracked. [n1info]
This bridge and tunnel are part of a 21km (13 miles) Corridor Vc (5C) project that was supposed to be completed in 2022 for a cost of €225m. [eib]
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| gbmgroup drone video |
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| Highway Engineering Discoveries posted Bosnia and Herzegovina Bridge Construction Semir Hrnjica: Szőke V. András South of Mostar city of river Neretva. Dennis DeBruler: Semir Hrnjica Thanks, that was the clue I needed: https://maps.app.goo.gl/iXVYhH1JjHUX99Q19 |
China companies breached their contract because they subcontracted too much work; it took too long to build; and the bridge has cracked. [n1info]
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| reddit, "2 yr. ago," accessed Nov 2023 |
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| azvirt, 3 of 9 "The Bridge Počitelj crosses Neretva river with a single, continuous, 945 m long box prestressed concrete deck. Five main spans are 147 m long, while two side spans are 105 m long (105 + 5×147 + 105 = 945m)....The cross section of the piers, designed as a hollow thin walled box, has varying geometry as a function of structural loads, both in construction as in service. Piers are 92m, 97m, 92m, 91m, 88m and 66m high, respectively." The box-girder main spans have "variable depth being minimum 3,6 m [12'] in span centers and maximum 8,0 m [26'] at piers. All piers have monolithic connection to the superstructure. Both abutments as well as piers S1 and S6, are founded on shallow foundations, while piers S2, S3, S4 and S5 are founded on Ø1500 piles (25 pieces per pier). Piles are 25m (pier S2), 35m (piers S3 and S4) and 20-23m (pier S5) long." It is a 6-lane highway. |
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| IRD Engineering "It is designed as a continuous prestressed girder bridge with a main span of 147 meters, variable box cross-section and a unique construction for both carriageways, and columns monolithically connected to the span construction, which is carried out by free cantilever construction." bnn also has this photo Aug 8, 2023: "Počitelj Bridge’s Sturdy Framework Receives Stamp of Approval from Stakeholders" "The meeting’s focal point was the disclosure of cracks on a specific segment — measuring 4.75 meters — out of nearly 200 segments constituting the bridge. These cracks, while concerning, were not unexpected given the intricacies of such a colossal project. The cracks emerged during the prestressing phase of the bridge’s construction, specifically on segment 15. However, as experts explained, the occurrence of such defects during ongoing construction is a known challenge, particularly considering the magnitude and complexity of the undertaking....A technical analysis illuminated the causes behind the emergence of cracks. Minor alterations in cable geometry were identified as factors contributing to increased tensile stress in the concrete structure. The intricacies of cable duct positioning during construction were shown to create forces leading to localized cracks. Such insights highlighted the need for meticulous attention to detail and precision in every stage of construction." The article continues with more sweet words about "challenges" and cooperation, but it doesn't say anything about how they plan to fix the bridge. |
Aug 5, 2023: it cracked a month after it was connected. "The damage occurred during construction work, and protection was installed at the crack site." [SarajevoTimes] What does it mean to "protect" cracks?
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| WorldHighways, Aug 21, 2023, image courtesy JP Autocesta FbiH – Bosnia and Herzegovina’s motorways agency "A crack was discovered on a 4.75m-long segment of deck along the nearly 1km-long structure that rises 100m above the river, according to media reports. Few other details were given." |
The construction "land scars" makes it easy to locate the two portals of the tunnel.
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| Satellite |
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| SeeNews, Oct 22, 2020, Pocitelj bridge breakthrough Source: Federation govt Both bores are a little under 1.2km (3/4 mile). "European Corridor Vc connects the port of Ploce in Croatia with Hungarian capital Budapest via Bosnia." [Are they drilling and blasting or using a jackhammer to loosen the rock? They are obviously not using a Tunnel Boring Machine. Maybe they drilled and blasted the bulk of the rock, but they are using a jackhammer for the final breakthrough of the remaining thin wall of tock.] |
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| irdeng, Jul 7, 2023 [The article contains congratulations for "excellent work in the realization of this important project," but it doesn't mention the cracks. But, looking at the dates, the cracks may have appeared just after the article was written. |
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| hering This webpage has many construction photos, but they are all near the beginning of the construction. |
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