A bridge once thought to be lost was uncovered last week during excavation work by Reykjavík Energy (Orkuveitan) on Suðurlandsbraut. A 1902 map shows a bridge located where Laugavegur once crossed the Fúlutjörn stream — now the location of Suðurlandsbraut.
According to the Sarpur heritage database, the bridge was likely a wooden structure supported by stone piers. What was probably once a timber deck has been replaced by concrete, but beneath it, about five rows of basalt stones are visible. These stones were likely quarried from Rauðárholt, located north of the old seamanship school (Sjómannaskólinn).
It is believed that the U.S. Army later widened the bridge northward, at which point the new deck and piers were constructed from concrete. At that time, Suðurlandsbraut was one of the main roads leading out of Reykjavík.
Around the same period, the western bridge over the Elliðaá River was also constructed in concrete, and in 1941, the bridge over the eastern branch was rebuilt using concrete.
The Fúlutjörn stream was piped underground around or shortly after 1957 and became known as the Kringlumýri stormwater drain, which is still in use just west of the old bridge.
Source: Mbl.is
