John S. Thompson bridge blast cleaned with Bekagrit iron silicate abrasive

The John S. Thompson Bridge, known until 2004 only as the bridge at Grave or Graafse bridge, is the bridge over the Maas between Grave and Nederasselt. The bridge was built from 1927 to 1929 as part of the 's-Hertogenbosch - Nijmegen highway.

The John S. Thompson Bridge is ready for an overhaul as the current weight load is no longer permissible for the current bridge construction. In addition, the rainbow colors of the national monument have faded and there are areas of rust. Thus, the superstructure of the bridge is being prepared for a new coat of paint.

The road surface and cycle path of the bridge will also be replaced in 2022.

Gelders Staalstraal- en Schildersbedrijf B.V. (GSB) commissioned by Rijkswaterstaat, started in August 2020 with the blasting and painting of the Grave Bridge. The 9 arches above the bridge are getting a new coat of paint. This is done in a so-called slim-fit coat that is attached around a bridge section.

In the weekend of 22 and 23 August 2020, the steel frame with cover plates was attached to the 1st bridge section, a precision work. The painting work now takes place in the slim-fit coat, with as little disruption to traffic as possible. The blasting work is performed with Bekagrit iron silicate blasting grit.