German bridge condition under the spotlight

A new report from Germany’s federal transport ministry has highlighted the problem of bridge wear in the country. According to the report, just 13% of Germany’s road bridges and bridge sub-structures are in good or very good condition. The report evaluated the condition of 39,600 road bridges and 51,600 bridge sub-structures and in 12% of cases, these structures do not have sufficient load-bearing capacity for the stresses they have to cope with. The report highlights also the worsening condition of the bri
January 25, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

A new report from Germany’s federal transport ministry has highlighted the problem of bridge wear in the country. According to the report, just 13% of Germany’s road bridges and bridge sub-structures are in good or very good condition. The report evaluated the condition of 39,600 road bridges and 51,600 bridge sub-structures and in 12% of cases, these structures do not have sufficient load-bearing capacity for the stresses they have to cope with. The report highlights also the worsening condition of the bridge infrastructure as in 2005, 18% of bridges and sub-structures were in good or very good condition.

Some 30% of key bridge links have been improved, while plans are in hand to improve other important bridges. In all, improving the bridges and sub-structures is expected to cost around €9.3 billion, with this programme due to last until 2030. However, further works will be required in the future to ensure bridge condition continues to meet necessary standards.

Finance & Funding

Related Content

  • Mexico’s serious bridge condition problem
    September 6, 2019
    Mexico has a serious problem with regard to the condition of thousands of bridges in the country. According to Mexico’s general road maintenance authority (DGCC), 2014 bridges in the country are in a very poor condition. A further 3,673 bridges require attention and just 38% of the nation’s vehicle bridges are considered in suitable condition. More worryingly still, local authorities have generally only carried out visual inspection work of existing bridges to assess their condition. Proper structural stu
    Read More
  • Clever approach to reducing bridge vibrations
    November 14, 2013
    Reducing vibrations on a bridge, supplying high-quality binders to emerging countries and helping small and medium players with warm mix, this month’s stories showcase some innovative bitumen technology solutions - Kristina Smith reports The Kessock Bridge in the Highlands of Scotland has become the third bridge in the UK to be resurfaced with Gussasphalt. A dense mastic asphalt containing Nynas Endura N5, a polymer modified binder, Gussasphalt has been designed to have a longer life than standard mastic as
    Read More
  • EIB aids funding for Poland's A2
    July 12, 2012
    The European Investment Bank (EIB) will help funding of the A2 highway project in Poland, which has faced financing problems due to the economic crisis. The EIB is making an exception to its usual policy by granting to Polish company Autostrada Wielkopolska credit that covers over 50% of the costs of the construction work for a highway section. The EIB will provide €1 billion for the A2 investment and to create an option of an additional €200 million. The total value of the investment, which is expected to
    Read More
  • Wacker Neuson sees strong future for sales
    April 24, 2018
    Wacker Neuson is seeing strong financial performance as demand for construction machines continues to improve. While expanding production worldwide, the company is also making a strong investment in research and development, for refining products and designing new models. CEO Martin Lehner said: “We want to focus on innovation. This is what drives us forward. There are two main points for us on products, one is zero emissions and another is on digitalisation.” The company has been heavily reliant on the
    Read More

Highlighted Content