Overview
- Detailed inspections found broken tension wires in the bridge’s support zones after earlier checks had been only visual.
- Authorities imposed immediate measures with a 3.5-ton load limit, one lane in each direction, and a 50 km/h speed cap.
- A supporting substructure is being erected, and the bridge’s western section is scheduled to close in the spring.
- Officials say a new structure must closely resemble the current bridge to avoid a years-long planning approval process.
- Saxony’s infrastructure minister announced an extra €12 million for regional projects, and planners pledged to factor residents’ traffic, safety and mining-damage concerns into the work.