Background information
The grid plates are found on both the Moerputten Bridge (sister bridge of the Overlaat Bridge in Den Bosch) and the bridge over Julianalaan. In both cases, they were installed after the bridge was already in use. And in each case, the grid plates serve a different purpose. At the Moerputten Bridge, they are screwed to the wooden beams to allow pedestrians and recreational users to cross the bridge safely. However, trains still run daily at the bridge over Julianalaan. Maintenance personnel use the plates, but more importantly, due to the open construction of the bridge girders, nothing from the train should fall onto passers-by walking, sailing, or driving under the bridge.
Construction details
The plates, with a diamond pattern for grip, are attached to the wooden beams of the track between the rails. The plates have a standard length that does not correspond to, for example, a rhythm in the bridge girder. They are simply laid one after the other and the last plate on the last beam is sawn to size.
