Hikers and cyclists welcomed the opening of the long-awaited suspension bridge over the Soča River in October. At 120 metres, the bridge is the longest suspension bridge in Slovenia, and the Kaskader team carried out its installation at the end of 2020.

The suspension bridge over the Soča River in Solkan was a major challenge in terms of both design and construction, while for onlookers it was a true feast for the eyes. Years of experience, a highly trained team and specialised equipment were essential for the installation. For the Kaskader team, observing and taking part in the construction of such a demanding structure was a real privilege, and we also managed to capture some of the installation process on camera.

In August 2020, we installed the 14.5-metre-high load-bearing pylons on both sides of the river. To erect the bridge structure, we then installed a temporary material cableway with a capacity of 3,000 kilograms, supported by a 20-metre tower on the left bank. At the beginning of October 2020, we installed the main 5-tonne load-bearing steel cables, which can carry loads of up to 1,042 tonnes.

By the end of October, the final shape of the bridge had already emerged, spanning 22 metres above the Soča River. This was followed by the installation of the three-metre-wide walkway, railings and finishing details.

Due to unfavourable geological conditions, which required the access routes to be redesigned several times after the bridge had been installed, the completion of the project was delayed until 2022. The suspension bridge was officially opened on 14 October.

The Longest Steel Suspension Bridge in Slovenia

The 100-tonne, 120-metre-long bridge structure in Solkan is one of three bridges crossing the Soča River. It is of great importance to the region, as it connects cycling routes from the Soča Valley to the Karst, improves safety and, with its impressive scale, attracts numerous tourists.

Kaskader carried out the installation works as a subcontractor for Kolektor CPG d.o.o. The entire Soča Isonzo project, within which the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC GO) constructed the suspension bridge in Solkan, was co-financed through the Interreg Italy–Slovenia 2014–2020 programme.