Falkenberg Bridge

Story

The Falkenberg Bridge is a stone arch bridge in Falkenberg, Sweden, built between 1756 and 1761. The bridge spans the Ätran river and is a listed building since 1984. It underwent major repair and restoration works in 1927 and 1994. The bridge is still in use and is used by an average of 3,800 vehicles a day. It was a toll bridge until 1914. The ruin of the fort Falkenberg is located close to the bridge, at the southern strand. The bridge has given its name to the nearby Tullbroskolan high school.PredecessorsThe bridge had an upstream predecessor, close to Nybyhemmet. It was part of the medieval town of Ny-Falkenberg. Remains of the bridge can still be observed at the stream bed. Following the destruction of Ny-Falkenberg, a new bridge was built, located close to the current clinic. Boulders from its holdings are still visible. The last predecessor was built in 1725. On that bridge toll was taken from 1739 and onwards. The bridges were previously maintained by the people in Årstad och Faurås Hundred. One of these bridges was destroyed during the war year 1565. That forced the Danish Army to use the ford at Axtorna, upstreams, where the Swedish Army waited, and the Battle of Axtorna took place.The construction processCounty governor Hans Hummelheim was responsible for the infrastructure in the county and found a need for a stone bridge over the Ätran river. The bridge was drawn by architect Carl Hårleman, and passed all necessary authorities by 1752. When Hårleman died in 1753 and his job was taken over by Carl Cronstedt. He changed the construction, increasing the number of arches from four to five. The construction work was led by Fridrich August Rex and performed by the soldiers of Älvsborg and Västgöta-Dal regiment.