Federal Ministry of Transport Reports Modernization of 212 Highway Bridges

The Federal Ministry of Transport has announced that in the previous year, a total of 212 highway bridges underwent modernization across Germany. This update comes as the government acknowledges the pressing need for extensive repairs on aging infrastructure nationwide.

The original targets for bridge renovations were set significantly higher, with a plan from 2022 aiming to prioritize the overhaul of 4,000 out of 28,000 highway bridges, with a goal of completing 400 renovations each year. However, the actual figures reveal a shortfall, as highlighted in a response to inquiries from the Green Party's Julia Verlinden.

The Ministry's report indicates that while the streamlined plans from the previous summer were largely executed, more ambitious targets remain unmet. The Autobahn GmbH of Germany is now seeking to enhance planning processes to facilitate a greater number of modernizations in the forthcoming years, contingent on adequate funding.

As of August 2024, contracts had been finalized for approximately 347 bridge projects aiming for modernization through various methods including replacement, partial renewal, or reinforcement. Some of these initiatives involve contracts that extend beyond one year. The current year's objective is to finalize an additional 213 bridge structures for traffic use.

In light of these developments, Verlinden emphasized the need for the incoming government to prioritize infrastructure maintenance and repair within the budget and the framework of special infrastructure funding. She called for a halt on any new highway construction projects until the existing repair goals are met.

The urgency of this matter has been underscored by recent incidents, including the abrupt closure and demolition of the Ringbahn Bridge on the A100 in Berlin due to structural issues. This incident, coupled with the collapse of the Carolabrücke in Dresden, serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with deferred maintenance on critical infrastructure.