Wind and weather make things difficult for the infrastructure in the Partnachklamm: A boy has damaged the statics of the iron bridge, the construction of a new suspension bridge is still a long way off.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
– Martin Kriner is proud of the news that he has been able to publish regularly in recent years.
After all, each one means that some money flows into the region via the Leader funding pot, whose local action group he heads as manager.
It is around 200,000 euros in the case of the Wettersteinblick nature experience suspension bridge, which is intended to close a gap in the network of paths between Partnachklamm, Eckbauer, Graseck and Elmauer Tal in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen market.
The market community can count itself lucky.
Because you have big investments in the area of the Partnachklamm in the house.
Not only the suspension bridge project above the gorge will consume around 660,000 euros in the next two years, a new construction site has recently been added: the iron bridge over the gorge was badly damaged in a storm (we reported).
A tree crashed directly onto the structure - with serious consequences, which Mayor Elisabeth Koch (CSU) describes in more detail: "The statics are damaged, as it looks, the bridge has to be redone." Another major cost factor in terms of Partnachklamm.
"It won't be cheap," Koch fears.
The suspension bridge and iron bridge projects cannot be postponed
The situation has thus become much more complicated: the municipality now has to carry out two projects.
And both basically don't tolerate any delay, because the bridges, as central connections in the network of footpaths, represent important building blocks in the overall spectacle of the Klamm.
The suspension bridge project has recently stalled, mainly because of the budget.
After the municipal council had already given the green light in July 2021 and the money had already been set, the release for tenders is still missing.
In the first budget deliberations, however, the elaboration of the figures did not turn out to be too easy.
Also because of the upcoming G7 summit.
At least in this respect, Koch can now give the all-clear.
"The budget is in place, the finance committee has approved it," emphasizes the head of the town hall.
The final vote of the municipal council is still missing.
That is scheduled for March.
Once the committee has approved, things can get started on the suspension bridge.
"We're not legally allowed to before that," Koch makes clear.
The tourism value of the projects is not in doubt
Nobody in the town hall doubts the importance of the project.
"There is no question about the tourist value," confirms Silvia Kaufer-Schropp, the press spokeswoman at City Hall.
The background: From the southern, i.e. upper, end of the gorge, where Ferchenbach and Partnach meet, a footpath leads back in the direction of Vordergraseck.
Not far from the exit of the gorge, this leads directly along a slope on which mudslides keep coming off, especially after heavy rain events like the last time in spring 2021. "The slope is extremely unstable and always in motion" - that's what gorge boss Rudi Achtner said in the often explained in the past.
The trail troop had to get to it again and again and make the passage accessible again.
"A troublesome piece that means a great deal of expense to restore almost every year," adds Kaufer-Schropp.
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The wishful thinking: The photo shows the Stuibenfallbrücke in Ötztal.
Such a construction could be the solution in a smaller form.
© imageBROKER/Wolfgang Weinhäupl
This is how the idea of the suspension bridge came up.
The spectacular Stuibenfallbrücke in Ötztal serves as a model.
However, it is far less massive than in Tyrol, as there is only a distance of 30 meters to overcome above the Partnach.
The time factor is currently open: budget decision necessary
Those responsible had aimed for spring 2022 in order to be prepared for the high season.
Whether that works now is questionable.
"At the moment it is difficult for us to make any statements about the time factor," regrets buyer-Schropp.
This also applies to the Iron Bridge - the connection to the Partnachalm.
"Both must be done," Koch clarifies.
The mayor cannot estimate the cost of repairing or possibly rebuilding the structure.
"We will certainly need a supplementary budget."
By the way: Everything from the region is now also available in our regular GAP newsletter.