A compression arch suspended-deck bridge, or through arch bridge, is a bridge made from modern materials such as steel or reinforced concrete in which a compression arch rises above the deck. Cables connect the deck to the arch.

One of the most famous bridges of this type is the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia.

Construction sequence

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In some locations it is not practical to support the arch from beneath during construction.

In modern construction, temporary towers are erected and supported by cables anchored in the ground. Temporary cables fly from each side to support arch segments as they are constructed. When the arches are almost complete a jacking bridge is placed over or beneath the gap to force the arches apart, whence the final section is constructed in place or lifted into position.

In some cases, this type of arch has been created by constructing cantilevers from each side, with the shoreside ends bolted securely down into heavy piers. The incomplete channel ends are then constructed toward each other and either filled by construction or by lifting a prefabricated center section. Image:Tyne Bridge - Newcastle Upon Tyne - England - 2004-08-14.jpg|The Tyne Bridge, in green, with many of the Tyne's other bridges pictured behind it. Image:FremontBridgePortlandOregon.jpg|Fremont Bridge in Portland, Oregon, USA. Image:SuspendedArchBridge.jpg|Compression arch suspended-deck bridge (foreground), beam bridge in background

See also

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• Arch bridge
• List of arch bridges by length

through arch bridges