Bridge days away! Germany reacts to ailing infrastructure

Bridge days away! Germany reacts to ailing infrastructure

Dresden, Deutschland - In Germany, the abolition of all bridge days becomes a controversial topic of politics and the public. Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the drastic decision that results from the dilapidated state of many bridges in Germany. This was done after a game of Bridge with Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder, in which Merz admitted that it will take a long time before bridges can be crossed again safely. The negative idea of ​​the infrastructure has caused concern, so that the population is to be sensitized to a more careful handling of endangered buildings ( Welt ).

Special attention was paid to the partial collapse of the Dresden Carol Bridge, which put the problems of the German bridge infrastructure into the spotlight. Experts are calling for comprehensive investments because many of the big bridges built before 1980 are considered "problem patients". Martin Mertens, a bridge expert, not only criticizes the poor condition of these bridges, but also the lack of financial resources that are missing for necessary renovations in the municipalities. The managing director of the German Association of Cities and Municipalities, André Berghegger, and other experts are therefore calling for an "Investmenting offensive infrastructure" ( Tagesschau ).

The condition of the bridges in Germany

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Additional information about the bridge stock shows that the majority of steel and clamping concrete consists of around 70 %. These buildings are not only an important traffic artery, but also a symbol for the state of the German infrastructure. The need for modernization becomes unmistakable in order to meet the increasing transport requirements and to ensure security. As an additional measure, tunnel days are now to be introduced as a replacement for the falling bridge days ( Welt ).