After it was looted during the 2011 revolution in Egypt, the Damietta Steel Bridge—one of the world’s oldest steel swing bridges—has been rehabilitated and transformed into a tourist and cultural attraction featuring a conference hall, lecture rooms and art galleries.

Constructed in 1890, the bridge—which consists of two supports with a cantilevered section—is a historic monument, registered in Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. It has an intriguing history. The bridge was originally built over the Nile River in Giza by the French firm Fives Lille, which also contributed to construction of the Eiffel Tower.

Damietta Bridge, which represents one of the earliest steel structures designed for trains, used the same type of equipment and iron as the iconic Paris structure.

The bridge’s movable segment, engineered by the American company Scherzer, used a circular motion mechanism around a pivotal pier. Relocated to Damietta in 1927, when it became known as the Bridge of Civilization, the structure was used for more than 80 years before becoming obsolete for vehicular traffic.

Rehabilitation of the Damietta Steel Bridge focused on restoring its connection joints and main support beams as the structure was transformed into a tourist and cultural attraction that also included a conference hall, lecture room and art galleries.
Photo courtesy of The Arab Contractors

With the Arab Contractors at the helm as general contractor, the bridge was moved again in 2007 and converted into a cultural landmark near the Egypt Public Library.

Relocating the bridge posed immense technical and logistical difficulties due to its size, weight and historic designation. Transporting the structure intact required designing and manufacturing specialized floating pontoons capable of evenly distributing its weight. The pontoons, paired with marine tugboats, were engineered to tow the structure while maintaining its stability.

Separating the bridge from its base without damaging its integrity and then lifting it onto its new foundation was another challenge that demanded precision engineering and advanced equipment.

Following the move, the condition of the bridge deteriorated. “The bridge remained unused for many years, during which time it fell into disrepair due to a lack of maintenance and evolving infrastructure priorities and political conditions in Egypt following 2011,” says Engy Najuib, technical civil engineer for the Arab Contractors.

Photo courtesy of The Arab Contractors

Moving forward on the most recent project, restoring the bridge while preserving its architectural and historical character, introduced further complications.

Most of the recent restoration work focused on the bridge’s connection joints and main beams supporting it. Maintaining bridge stability while work took place was complicated by the need to calculate the structural loads at various points of the bridge affected by shifting water levels caused by tidal changes.

Sandblasting operations to remove rust were carried out in a bustling urban area, requiring tarpaulin containment to mitigate dust and environmental impact.

The repairs were designed to meet structural requirements without compromising the bridge’s architectural integrity, and its stability was ensured before proceeding to restore the adjacent joints.

Photo courtesy of The Arab Contractors

The work focused on a number of areas, which included maintaining the bridge’s metal structure with all of its components; providing the necessary support for all connections and structural elements; applying the necessary protective paints for all parts of the bridge; and insulating it against weather in a way that was in keeping with the architectural and historical style of the structure.

In addition, the project included rehabilitation of the square located opposite the bridge to include a theater, meeting and lecture hall, fine arts exhibition and an area for cafeterias, restaurants and various activities.

Najuib says the bridge is a cherished historical artifact and an important landmark that is maintained at an inclined position at 34°, a nod to its original site.

Photo courtesy of The Arab Contractors

“This unique feature not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also deepens its narrative connection to the community’s heritage,” she says.

The rehabilitated bridge is credited with spurring development in the surrounding area.

Najuib says the project “addresses the challenges of protecting a historic structure while transforming it into a dynamic space that enriches the community, fosters cultural appreciation and promotes economic development.”