European Symposium - Bridge Safety in Europe - 10th and 11th June 2020

International Symposium · Bridge safety in Europe

10th and 11th June at the Palais de l'Europe, Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg

Architects, Project Managers, Project Owners, Engineers, Town Planners, Experts, Contractors, Manufacturers, Academics, Researchers, Professors, Students.

European Symposium

Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 June 2020

Under the patronage of the European

Construction Industry Federation (FIEC)

Bridges - Fundamental to economic and social development

According to our estimates, there are about 800,000 road bridges in the European Union. They are emblematic of engineers’ know-how and have always been essential to ensure the connection of people and economies by guaranteeing the functioning of our transport networks.

Most of them were constructed from the 1950s onwards. They consist of two main materials: concrete and steel. These are impacted by fundamental laws of physics and chemistry. Corrosion is the most common symptom of structural deterioration, of which the consequence is a weakening of the resistance of bridges.

These structures are ageing, and we have observed a continuous degradation of their condition during the past two decades.

The restricted operation or temporary closure of bridges not only has socio-economic consequences, given that bridges are strategic crossingpoints. A lack of maintenance may also result in their collapse and even human fatalities as has happened on several occasions in the past.

It is not too late to raise awareness of their vital importance and to put in place the right measures in order to restore our bridges’ structural robustness. Budgets for infrastructure and future investments in new structures must take into account regular maintenance. Maintenance must also be part of the education of future technicians and engineers.

The conference on 10 and 11 June in Strasbourg, under the aegis of European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC), is an opportunity to assemble the relevant stakeholders in order to raise awareness on this crucial issue and to exchange on the techniques allowing for efficient maintenance, thus making bridges secure structures for the long term.

This symposium, what for?

Christian Tridon

STRRES' Chairman

Schedule

Discover the program of the two days of the event!

Simultaneous French/English translation will be provided

Presentation and animation

Alex Taylor

Franco-British journalist

10th June 2020

8h00

Welcome of participants
9h00

Opening of the Symposium

Opening Speech by FIEC Elect President
9h45

Presentation of the Trans-European Transport Network
10h15
Round Table on the European Transport Policy and its financing

With the participation of:
- Representative from the European Commission (DG MOVE)
- Dominique Riquet (Member of the European Parliament, Member of the Committee on Transport and Tourism)
- Catherine Trautmann (North-Sea Baltic TEN-T Corridor Coordinator, former Mayor of Strasbourg and former Culture and Communication French Minister)
- Thomas Bauer (FIEC elect President)
12h00

An example in France: Bridges management in the Eurométropole of Strasbourg
12h30

Lunch (on site)
14h00

Presentation of the "Bridges" assets and management model

14h00 : German Model

Juergen Krieger (BAST)

14h30 : Dutch Model

Fred Westenberg (Consultant)

15h00 : Belgian Model

Pierre Gilles et Paul Meekels (Walloon and Flemish Ministries)

15h30 : Spanish Model

Alvaro Navareño (Transports Ministry)

16h00 : Break and exchanges with the exhibiting companies

16h30 : Italian Model

Pietro Baratono (Transports Minister)

17h00 : Swiss Model

Jean-Marc Luisoni (Consultant)

17h40 : Luxembourg Model

Frédéric Oliveira (Transports Minister)

18h10 : French Model

Georges Tempez (CEREMA)
18h30

End of the first day
19h00

Departure by boat to the gala evening in the historic centre of Strasbourg.