Ampera bridge

Crossing the Musi River that connected Seberang Ulu area and Seberalng Ilir that separated by the River.

The idea to unite the two mainland in Palembang "Seberang Ulu and Seberang Ilir" by the bridge, was actually existed since Gemeente era in 1906, when the Mayor of Palembang is held by Le Cocq de Ville, in1924. This idea was raised again and made a lot of effort to realize it. However, until Le Cocq was out of duty, or when the Dutch pull out of Indonesia, the project was never realized.

Until 1965, this bridge was officially opened by Bung Karno, the Indonesia’s first President. The idea of this bridge came up to be a match for London’s Tower Bridge and the fund for the development is taken by Japanase war reparations, with Fuji Car Manufacturing Co. Ltd as the designer and constractioner. After the development, the early name of the bridge was Bung Karno Bridge, but following his fall, it was renamed to Ampera Bridge.

The middle part of Ampera Bridge, duringthe first built, along 71.90 meters, with a 22 meters wide. Part of the bridge that the overall weight of 944 tons can be lifted at a speed of about 10 meters per minute. The two tower liftng is stand tall as high as 63 meters. The distance between the two towers is 75 meters. Two tower is equipped with two pendulum weights, each about 500 tons.

At first, the center of the body bridge can be lifted up, so that the mast through body does not get caught underneath the bridge. The middle part of the bridge can be removed with mechanical equipment, two pendulum weights each of about 500 tons in the two towers. Appointment velocity of about 10 meters per minute for a total time required for full lift bridge for 30 minutes.

At the center of the bridge is lifted, vessels of 60 meters wide and with a maximum height of 44.50 meters, can pass to the Musi River. When the central part of the bridge is not removed, the higher the maximum vessel can pass under the bridge only nine meters from the surface of the river water.

Since 1970, the bridge shall no longer be increased or decreased. The time used to lift the bridge, which is about 30 minutes, is considered disturbing the flow of traffic between Seberang Ulu and Ilir, two areas in Palembang that separated by the Musi River.

Article source: www.indonesia-tourism.com