Spreebrücke in Bautzen: Building freezing ensures frustration in the city council!

Spreebrücke in Bautzen: Building freezing ensures frustration in the city council!

Bautzen, Deutschland - The project for the new Spree Bridge in Bautzen is currently hanging like a sword of Damocles over the city. Heiko Nowak, the mayor of Bautzen, visibly frustrated about the standstill of the planning. The bridge is not just a construction project, but an important part of the urban development concept, which also includes the expansion of the Schliebenparkplatz. Mike Hauschild from the free voters recently asked about the progress at a city council meeting. But nowak has not been able to make any statements about further planning.

At this point, the importance of the structural change money becomes clear. These funds are not only important for Bautzen, but indispensable in order to be able to realize the construction. As part of the investment law for coal regions, the federal government has provided the sum of 2.4 billion euros for municipal projects in the Lausitzer Revier by 2038. Total costs of around 14 million euros for the Spree Bridge are planned, with the city aiming for a funding rate of 90 %, which corresponds to around 12.2 million euros, such as Saechsische.de

ambiguities and current challenges

Despite the ambitious plans, there are many uncertainties. The first funding period has already been exhausted, and a decision about whether the project will be funded in the second funding period is pending. The Saxon Ministry of Infrastructure and National Development (SMIL) is working on the further development of the funding bases, but has so far not proven clear information for the project sponsors. The scoring value, which determines the opportunities for funding, remains unknown to those responsible and ensures additional worries.

The expansion of the Schliebenparkplatz, which is expected to cost 1.35 million euros, is scheduled to begin in 2026. However, the city plans to manage pre-financing for the expansion of the parking lot, but requires confirmation from the funding agent. After this expansion, the Spree Bridge, the Burgerwasser Tower and the Nave on the Ortenburg should also be renovated. The corresponding species protection report is currently being created, followed by basic building investigations.

public opinion and municipal decisions

The discussion about the Spree Bridge is not just a technical matter. According to a survey from autumn 2023, a narrow majority of Bautzen citizens are skeptical about the building, as they fear a risk to the historical city view. This shows that the bridge is an emotional topic that is viewed from different sides. The regional review committee for the Saxon area of the Lausitzer Revier approved the project proposal last week, which is an important hurdle. If the federal government also agreed, the city council could take the construction decision in autumn.

The application of the city of Bautzen comprises much more than just the bridge. The establishment of a new bridge from Protschenberg to Ortenburg, the creation of a new city gate and the renovation of the nave, including the establishment of a café, are planned. In addition, an elevator is to be installed in the castle water tower. A total of 13.5 million euros were applied for to realize this dream, such as SAS informed.