Suche
Mein Konto
Dilapidated bridge in Wolthusen: demolition and new construction without financing!
Emden is planning to demolish the Wolthuser Bridge due to damage. Financing issues and road safety measures are the focus.
Dilapidated bridge in Wolthusen: demolition and new construction without financing!
There's a lot going on behind the scenes in the city of Emden: the bridge on Wolthuser Strasse has to make way for a new building. This was confirmed by Nils Andersson, operations manager at the Emden construction and waste disposal company (BEE). The condition of the bridge is anything but rosy. During a routine inspection in the summer, it was discovered that the steel structures attached to the sides were significantly damaged. This damage led to the closure of the relevant areas, including pedestrian and cycle paths. While car traffic can continue to flow unhindered, the majority of side paths are now closed to ensure the safety of road users.
But the financial aspects raise a lot of eyebrows. The city of Emden's budget currently does not provide any funds for the demolition and construction of the bridge. A resulting uncertainty about the total costs hangs in the air. The city is therefore seeking funding, particularly from the federal program for infrastructure investments emden.de reported. Grants from the “Pact for Municipal Investments” from Lower Saxony could also help secure the necessary funds.
The security situation in focus
Particular attention is paid to the students at the Wolthus primary school. To guarantee their safety, the bridge was declared a 30 zone. Massive fences were erected to minimize hazards during construction. However, there is criticism: the city parents' council has already expressed concerns about the safety situation and is calling for further protective measures for children and other road users.
From July 16, 2025, there will be additional traffic safety measures on the bridge that specifically affect pedestrian and bicycle traffic. How nwzonline reported, motorized traffic remains largely unaffected. There will be signs on site indicating the restrictions to raise awareness and caution users.
Outlook on the construction project
The construction of the new bridge itself is under discussion; the various construction variants, including prestressed concrete and steel bridges, are currently being examined by the BEE. The demolition of the old, fragile bridge is expected to take several months. The city has already signaled that short-term measures to ensure road safety are necessary, regardless of the green light for funding.
Overall, it remains to be seen when construction of the new bridge can begin and what financial resources will ultimately be available. It is clear that the residents of Emden still have to be patient while those responsible work on a solution.