The partial new construction of the Echelsbacher Bridge is aiming for completion.
35.8 million euros will have been invested in the listed Melan Arch building by the time it is completed.
Rottenbuch -
Alexander Dobrindt gave it the nickname "Golden Gate Bridge of the Oberland" when the groundbreaking ceremony took place in May 2017.
And the Peißenberg member of the Bundestag should also be part of the party in November when the partially renovated Echelsbach Bridge is to be ceremoniously handed over to its destination.
The word “partial renewal” is a gross understatement for the project of the century 80 meters above the Ammer.
The Austrian company Strabag and the other companies involved have spanned a completely new bridge structure made of steel and concrete over the gorge.
Only the arches are left of the listed Melan Bridge, which was built in 1929.
They no longer have a load-bearing function, but serve purely for the appearance.
The replacement building with new arches extends over the old ones and thus also serves as protection for the monument to be preserved.
Echelsbacher Brücke: completion date delayed by twelve weeks
Despite the great complexity of the task, the problems on the construction site were limited. The German Abenthum of the responsible state building authority in Weilheim attributes this to “the unusually good cooperation of all construction companies and engineering offices involved in the project with the client”. Inevitably occurring problems were "solved in a pragmatic and solution-oriented way, even before they could grow into major problems," says Abenthum happily.
All in all, the completion date has been delayed by twelve weeks.
According to the state building authority, the tough winter 2019/20 and additional renovation measures on the existing arch were responsible, among other things.
As is well known, it had been home to a protected bat colony since the 1950s.
The "big mouse ears" should be able to nest along the entire length of the old arch in the future.
Echelsbacher Brücke: Price jumps were inevitable at the construction site
There were also price jumps on the construction site: Originally, construction costs of 21.8 million euros were assumed.
However, it was already clear in June 2018 when traffic on the temporary bridge was opened and an initial assessment was made that this sum would not be enough.
For the construction, dismantling and maintenance of the 266-meter-long makeshift structure alone, nine million euros were due.
The end of the story has not yet been reached: As Abenthum now explains on request, the actual construction costs have also risen in the meantime.
At that time, the order total for the Strabag company was 17.4 million euros, and it is now expected to be billed at 20.7 million euros.
Including planning, the total measure ultimately adds up to 35.8 million euros, Abenthum calculates.
Echelsbacher Brücke: Part of the new construction will probably be completed at the end of August
There should be no more costly surprises, according to the building authority, the partial construction of the bridge will be completed by the end of August.
The workers are currently assembling the equipment, which includes handrails and concrete guide walls.
After the access ramps have been built, the bridge will be sealed and paved.
In addition, work on the new connection to the district road to Schönberg has been underway for a few weeks.
The confluence was difficult to see in the past, now it is clearly clearer and therefore safer.
According to the state building authority, traffic on the Echelsbacher Brücke is expected to go through mid-November.
How big it will be celebrated is still open.
That depends on the then valid Corona requirements, they say.
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