Prístavný most: Harbour Bridge over the Danube in Bratislava
Prístavný most (Harbour Bridge) is a double-deck steel truss bridge over the Danube in Bratislava, built between 1977 and 1985 next to the city's river port. The D1 motorway runs on the upper level and a railway line below, and there are pathways for pedestrians and cyclists. It is an unusual stop for travellers interested in the engineering side of the Slovak capital.
Bratislava's busiest crossing carries a motorway on top and a railway below, was built for 50,000 vehicles a day and now copes with around 120,000.
The history of Prístavný most
The Harbour Bridge was conceived to solve a traffic problem in the centre of Bratislava. The Old Bridge on Šafárik Square, which carried both road and rail traffic, was in poor condition, level crossings brought trains into conflict with city streets, and there were plans for a motorway bypass of the city. Together these reasons led to the idea of a combined motorway and railway bridge that would take through traffic across the Danube to Petržalka and relieve the historic centre.
Construction took place between 1977 and 1985. The general designer was the state institute Dopravoprojekt Bratislava, and the bridge was built by the company Doprastav together with the subcontractors Hutní montáže Ostrava and Mostárna Vítkovice. The railway level opened first, in 1983, and the motorway level followed in 1985. Until 1993 the structure bore the name Most hrdinov Dukly, the Bridge of the Heroes of Dukla, and it was then renamed after the river port beside it.
The main span has four spans, measuring 102.4, 204.8, 64.0 and 89.6 metres, and the Danube crossing proper is about 599 metres long, or around 1,080 metres with its access roads. With the viaducts on both banks the whole railway crossing stretches for 2,295 metres and the motorway crossing for 2,582 metres. The bridge connects the districts of Ružinov and Petržalka and carries the D1 on top, together with road 61, and the Bratislava to Hegyeshalom railway below. Pedestrian and cycle paths run on both sides of the railway level, and the bridge also carries water, gas and other pipelines.
Maintenance is shared. The motorway level is managed by the national motorway company, the railway level by the Slovak railways, and the footpaths and cycle lanes by the city of Bratislava. The bridge was designed for about 50,000 vehicles a day, but later counts show far heavier traffic, around 120,000 a day in 2013, and queues are common, particularly at the end of the week. The Apollo Bridge opened upstream in 2005 and took some of the load, and on 26 September 2021 the nearly 3 km long Lužný most was opened on the D4 ring motorway downstream. The bridge was last renovated in 2008.
Curiosities about Prístavný most
- Until 1993 the bridge was called Most hrdinov Dukly, the Bridge of the Heroes of Dukla.
- It has two floors: the D1 motorway runs on top and the railway line from Bratislava towards Hegyeshalom runs beneath.
- The railway level opened in 1983, two years before the motorway level was completed.
- It was planned for around 50,000 vehicles a day, yet it is often described as Slovakia's busiest bridge, with around 120,000 vehicles a day according to 2013 figures.
- Pedestrians and cyclists can cross it too, on paths on both sides of the railway level, and pipelines for water and gas also run across.
- Widening the roadway was rejected for structural reasons, so relief came from other crossings such as the Apollo Bridge in 2005 and the Lužný most in 2021.
Tours near Prístavný most
Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:
Visiting Prístavný most
- The bridge lies by the river port of Bratislava and the entrance of the winter harbour, a few kilometres from the Old Town. It is mostly a bridge for motorists and trains, so most visitors admire it from the riverbank.
- Walkers and cyclists can cross the Danube on the paths along the railway level. Expect traffic noise and allow time, as the approach ramps are long.
- It combines well with a walk along the Danube and a look at other Bratislava crossings such as the Old Bridge, which is about 2 km away.
- Traffic jams are common at the end of the week, so it is wise to avoid driving over the bridge at those times.
Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.
Map: where Prístavný most is
Photos of Prístavný most
Questions
Where is Prístavný most?
Prístavný most crosses the Danube in Bratislava near the river port, linking the districts of Ružinov and Petržalka. It carries the D1 motorway.
When was Prístavný most built?
It was built between 1977 and 1985. The railway level opened in 1983 and the whole bridge was completed in 1985.
How long is Prístavný most?
The Danube crossing is about 599 metres long, or around 1,080 metres including the access roads.
Why was it called the Bridge of the Heroes of Dukla?
That was its original name until 1993, when it was renamed Prístavný most after the nearby river port.
Can you walk or cycle across Prístavný most?
Yes, there are paths for pedestrians and cyclists on both sides of the railway level. They are managed by the city of Bratislava.
Why is there so much traffic on the bridge?
It was designed for about 50,000 vehicles a day but now carries far more, around 120,000 daily according to 2013 data. It is a route for commuters from Petržalka and for transit traffic through the city.
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