|
REHABILITATION OF THE |
|
|
|
NEWSLETTER 14 August 30, 2003
MOSTAR, BOSNIA AND HERCEGOVINA |
||
|
ASSEMBLING OF THE ARCH
Assembled arch The works on assembling of the arch were successfully completed on Before assembling of the last three rows, a special technique of
propping of stone blocks was applied using five (5) hydraulic presses. The
first step was placing of wooden beams between 58th row at the left side, and
54th row at the right side. On the wooden beams were attached metal plates at
even distances. The five hydraulic presses had been attached to the metal
plates for several days. Applying this technique, the stone blocks were 5 mm
propped. This process actually enabled consolidation of previously
incorporated stone blocks before assembling of the stone blocks in the last
three rows. According to the usual procedure, an extensive topographical survey was
preformed in the site before assembling of the last stone blocks.
Hydraulic presses placed between
rows on the arch A ceremony of placing of the final stone in the arch was held on August
22, in the presence of all parties directly involved in the reconstruction of
the Old Bridge: THE WORLD BANK, UNESCO, PCU, ER-BU, and OMEGA representatives, and in the presence of
municipality officials, numerous media representatives and the citizens of Mostar.
Testing of a parapet sample Using the precisely taken
dimensions, workers have already cut stone blocks for the lower cornice. The
stone blocks for spandrel walls and the upper cornice will be cut of tenelija
stone. The stone blocks for the missing pavement will be cut of the lime stone, and it will have the
same characteristics as the old, preserved ones. The next phase of reconstruction
includes establishment of the monitoring system for the Old Bridge, which
will stay there on a permanent basis. The company LGA from Nϋrnberg,
Germany, will be responsible for supply, transport and installment of the
monitoring system. The monitoring system will be used to monitor the state of
the bridge in full load and under different weather conditions, such as
increased or low temperature, wind, and so on.
A stone parapet sample for the
metal fence 437th TRADITIONAL DIVES
FROM THE OLD BRIDGE On August 24, it was held a traditional competition of divers from the Old Bridge. This year the competition itself had a very special significance for divers, and for all citizens of Mostar. The first time, after the period of ten years, divers had an opportunity and pleasure to dive from the reconstructed arch of the Old Bridge. Several
thousands visitors gathered at this manifestation, which was widely covered
by local and foreign media. This time the competition had an international
character since there were 60 divers in total, out of which many were from
the other countries such as The
winners of the competition are young divers from Mostar, Ermin Zukanovic in the category legsfirst and Lorens Listo in the category headfirst. |
An occasion of assembling of the
final stone block in the arch had a very symbolic meaning to all citizens of
Mostar. After almost ten years two banks of the Neretva river are finally
connected as prior to the war. The symbolical assembling of the last stone
block was performed by Mayor, Deputy Mayor, PCU Director and Project Manager.
The final stone block before
assembling in the arch
The ceremony of placing of the
final stone TESTING IN KOMOS Apart from the regular stone cutting works performed in Komos, on
August 19, 2003 it was held a testing of a stone parapet sample for the metal
fence of the Old Bridge. It is necessary to mention that the metal fence is
being constructed at the Metallurgical Institut «Kemal Kapetanović» in
Zenica. The length of a stone parapet sample tested in Komos is 50 cm, the
height is 90 cm and the model is made in ratio 1:1. The testing was performed
in the presence of OMEGA, ER-BU and
PCU representatives, including also representatives from the Metallurgical
Institute from Zenica. After several minor
objections and adjustments performed on the model, the experts have adopted the
final look of the metal fence to be assembled on the Old Bridge. It will be
used a facsimile reconstruction of the metal fence, which means that the new
fence will be identical to the original one. Apart from the works being performed on
testing of a stone parapet sample for the metal fence, in Komos
have been continued works on preparing of the stone blocks for the further
reconstruction works on the bridge. As the previous year, a platform for divers was built in the expense of Contractor.
437th traditional dives from the Old Bridge
Numerous
visitors during the competition of divers VISITS TO THE SITE The final works on
assembling of the arch attracted an increased attention of media and numerous
tourist groups. Mr. Zeki Ergezen, Minister
of Public Works from Turkey visited the site on August 12, 2003 accompanied
with Mr. Mirsad Kebo,
Minister of Human Rights and Refugees, Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Mostar. On
this occasion Minister Ergezen expressed his great satisfaction with the
current progress of works. He stated that the resonstruction of the Old
Bridge would not serve only to connect the two banks, but it would serve also
as a bridge between different people and cultures.
Mr. Zeki Ergezen during his
visit to the site |
|
This NEWSLETTER
was made in accordance with prevailing articles of the Contract No
002/2002 about the Rehabilitation of
the