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Oxena Brids, Hempens-Teerns

Oxena Brids, Hempens-Teerns

TruSteel Construction

A characteristic drawbridge reaching the end of its service life

Between the Frisian villages of Hempens and Teerns, the Oxena Brids provides an important crossing over the Nauwe Greuns. This distinctive drawbridge connects the two parts of the twin village. After many years of service, the existing drawbridge had reached the end of its technical and functional lifespan.

Renewing a historic connection

On behalf of the Municipality of Leeuwarden, and in collaboration with De Boer & De Groot, we are replacing the characteristic Oxena Brids between Hempens and Teerns. The bridge has a rich history: according to historical sources, the water at this location has been crossable since as early as the fifteenth century. The name Oxena Brids, meaning 'ox bridge', probably refers to a ford where farmers once drove their cattle through the water.

The replacement ensures that this historic connection between Hempens and Teerns is preserved. The project involves more than simply delivering a new, reliable bridge structure. Connecting the bridge to the existing infrastructure and renewing the surrounding hydraulic engineering structures also require a carefully coordinated approach.

The name Oxena Brids, meaning 'ox bridge', probably refers to a ford where farmers once drove their cattle through the water.

A new steel bridge deck

For the replacement of the Oxena Brids, TruSteel Infra is responsible for the new steel bridge deck and its associated operating mechanism. The scope of work includes design, engineering, fabrication, protective coating and installation. Electrical and instrumentation (E&I) works are also part of the project.

To deliver the project, we bring together the knowledge and experience of several specialised companies. Sister company Nauta Heeg fabricates the new bridge deck and manufactures the railings. MF Emmen is responsible for the mechanical components and drive system. Several partners contribute their expertise: Nepocon provides the engineering, SealteQ handles the protective coating, and Ternet carries out the E&I works. Together, we are delivering a new steel structure measuring 18 metres in length and 4 metres in width, with a total weight of approximately 24 tonnes.

A precisely executed lifting operation

At the end of December 2025, the old bridge was removed, including the bridge deck and approach section. While De Boer & De Groot Civiele Werken worked on the new approach section and other hydraulic engineering structures on site, we fabricated the new steel bridge deck at our facility in Heeg. This allowed the on-site construction work and the fabrication of the bridge deck to take place simultaneously.

In May 2026, the new structure was lifted into position. With a weight of approximately 24 tonnes and a lifting distance of 48 metres, this operation required careful preparation and precise execution. KTF carried out the lifting operation using a mobile crane with a lifting capacity of 500 tonnes. Nauta Heeg and MF Emmen jointly handled the installation of the bridge deck and its associated mechanical components.