Bridge once more shut down: Countless others potentially at risk. - Another bridge shut down - number of closures accumulating?
Hesse Faces Continuous Bridge Closures: Rising Concern Over Infrastructure
Bridges in the German state of Hesse have been facing sudden closures due to the imminent risk of collapse. The latest closures have affected residents in the Odenwald region, impacting both a road and the railway line below. This raises questions about the number of bridges in Hesse that may face similar scenarios.
The condition of bridges in Hesse varies, with responsibility for maintenance spread across different authorities. Motorway bridges are under the purview of the federal government, while federal, state, and county roads fall under the jurisdiction of state authorities. Railway bridges are managed by the German Railway.
According to the German Press Agency, based on the latest evaluation from the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt), Hesse has the second-highest number of motorway bridges with a subpar condition rating and a length of at least 50 meters, after North Rhine-Westphalia. Among these are 19 bridge structures in Hesse with a condition score of 3.3 or lower.
While the condition of bridges on federal, state, and county roads in Hesse, in general, is good, according to a spokesperson for the Hessian Ministry of Transport, about 235 of these structures require immediate or short-term repairs.
In terms of railway bridges, the German Railway is investing significantly in their maintenance and plans for further investments due to a high technical renewal need. All 2,122 railway bridges in Hesse are regularly inspected, including the second-oldest railway bridge in Germany, the Nied railway bridge in Frankfurt, last renovated in 2008.
One of the latest bridge closures happened at the Talbrücke near Zell, a district of Bad König, which was closed in both directions at the end of April following a bridge inspection. The bridge must now be demolished, as announced by Autobahn GmbH. Trains on the Odenwald Railway are also prohibited from passing under the bridge due to an acute risk of collapse.
This situation is reminiscent of the 2021 incident in Wiesbaden, where chunks of concrete fell from the Salzbachtal Bridge onto the federal road below, causing the bridge's closure, as well as the closure of the roads and railway lines running underneath, effectively cutting off Wiesbaden from the outside world.
While specific data on the number of bridges in Hesse facing a risk of collapse is not readily available, it's essential to note that assessing the condition of bridges often involves evaluating factors such as structural integrity, maintenance history, and traffic volume. To obtain detailed information on bridge conditions in Hesse, it is advisable to consult local or federal transportation authorities in Germany.
- Given the high number of motorway bridges with subpar condition ratings in Hesse, it might be beneficial to introduce a community policy that prioritizes vocational training for infrastructure workers to improve the maintenance of bridges within the state.
- As the German Railway invests in the maintenance of railway bridges in Hesse, it could be advantageous to collaborate with financial institutions to secure funds for vocational training programs that cultivate skilled professionals in the transportation sector, ensuring both the safety of the bridges and the efficiency of the industry.
