Status: 03/10/2022 5:12 p.m
More funds are needed to rehabilitate dilapidated bridges on motorways and federal highways, says Federal Transport Minister Wissing. The “renovation backlog” affects 4,000 bridges. Traffic jams and full closures should be prevented.
Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing wants to modernize dilapidated road bridges more quickly and increase the funds for this to 2.5 billion euros per year from 2026. This was announced by the Ministry of Transport.
“The bridges are anything but good, so there is a need for action here,” said the FDP politician after a “bridge summit” with experts and representatives of the construction industry. So far, too little has been invested in the renovation.
400 bridges per year
According to Wissing, the “renovation backlog” affects 4,000 bridges on motorways and federal highways. The structures are to be modernized over the next ten years – i.e. 400 instead of the previously planned 200 bridges per year.
According to the ministry, there are a total of around 40,000 motorway and federal highway bridges with 52,000 sections. Of these, more than 10,000 would have to be modernized. Work has already started on many bridges, but 2,700 sections must now be added.
Avoid traffic jams and full closures
According to Wissing, the “bridge summit” also serves to avoid being surprised by dilapidated bridges in the future and thus to avoid traffic jams or full closures. In order to maintain motorways, spending is to be gradually increased from 4.5 billion euros today to 5.7 billion euros in 2026.
More money for Germany’s ailing bridges
Kirsten Girschick, ARD Berlin, daily news 5:00 p.m., March 10, 2022