A Unique Engineering Solution
The Steffenbach Bridge, located on the Furka-Oberalp Railway in Switzerland, is a rare folding bridge designed to withstand avalanches. Built in 1926, it spans the Steffenbach Gorge and is part of the route connecting Realp and Oberwald. Due to extreme winter conditions, a traditional bridge would not survive the heavy snowfall and avalanches common in the area.
Designed to Vanish in Winter
Engineers devised a three-section folding mechanism allowing the bridge to be dismantled before winter. Each autumn, railway workers lower the metal sections onto concrete supports in the gorge. This prevents snow buildup and avalanche damage. When spring arrives, they reassemble the structure, allowing trains to cross safely once again.
Still in Use Today
The bridge remains operational and continues to function as designed. The Furka-Oberalp Railway, now part of the heritage Furka Steam Railway, still follows this seasonal procedure. Tourists and railway enthusiasts visit the site to witness this rare engineering feature in action.
A Bridge Unlike Any Other
The Steffenbach Bridge is one of the very few folding railway bridges in the world. Its seasonal disassembly and reassembly ensure the safe passage of trains through the Swiss Alps.
Hidden in the Swiss Alps, the Steffenbach Bridge is no ordinary railway crossing. Built in 1926, it vanishes each winter and reappears in spring. Designed to fold away, it avoids avalanches. This design allows trains to cross safely each year, surviving extreme mountain… pic.twitter.com/W9D0rI92yh
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) February 24, 2025