As of: March 26, 2024, 11:46 a.m
By: Dieter Roettig
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Split
The new Schlosswiesen Bridge was released with a double paper cut.
On the left is Schondorf's mayor Alexander Herrmann, opposite in red is his Greifenberg colleague Patricia Müller.
© Photo and assembly: Roettig
The new Schlosswiesen Bridge over the Windach between Greifenberg and Schondorf is open to pedestrians and cyclists.
The pedestrian connection between the towns was not possible for almost three years because the dilapidated old bridge proved unable to be renovated and had to be closed.
Greifenberg - The traffic handover took place in a solemn act with a blessing from Father Reginald, during which Greifenberg's mayor Patricia Müller and her Schondorf colleague Alexander Herrmann simultaneously cut ribbons in the middle of the bridge.
Local councilors from both towns applauded because it was safe to move between Valloch in Greifenberg and Moraschstrasse in Schondorf again.
Be it to work or school, to go shopping or for a walk.
The route to Schondorf via the Windach-Brückerl is ideal, especially for the residents of the Greifenberg district retirement home.
This route has no longer been possible since April 2021.
Dry-footed across the Windach: path for servants
Müller: “This bridge is not only a physical connection between our communities, but also a symbol of our perseverance and determination to overcome obstacles.” And there were many of them after citizens complained about the condition of the old bridge’s pavement .
The inspection revealed that the structure, which is over a hundred years old, needed to be completely renovated.
A renovation is not possible due to the enormous defects.
The report on stability, soil load-bearing capacity and material properties shows no other option than dismantling the bridge and then building a new one.
Historical photo from 1917: The von Perfall family on the Schlosswiesenbrücke in Greifenberg.
© Perfall archive
The first problems arose when clarifying the ownership structure, as no building permit could be found.
Neither the Free State nor the district felt responsible.
Only research in the Greifenberg Chronicle from 1905 revealed that the bridge was the property of the community.
At that time, the von Perfall castle family had expressed their desire to build it so that their servants could transport their purchases from Schondorf dry-footed and without having to take a ford through the Windach.
Reopening of the new Schlosswiesenbrücke: nature conservation and citizens' initiative
After the municipality's responsibility had been clarified, the new construction measures had to be explored to ensure that the impact on the surrounding nature and landscape was as minimal as possible: The bridge is located in the Windach FFH conservation area.
In order for this to be preserved, a landscape conservation plan and a biological relevance test had to be created.
Land negotiations and variant planning took further time.
In between, there was a citizen's application for possible monument status for the old bridge, but it was rejected.
In addition, the construction period was limited to October to February due to nature conservation and water law concerns.
The old Schlosswiesen Bridge in Greifenberg was closed for almost three years due to its dilapidation.
© Roettig
Construction finally began in November 2023.
At the end of February, the old bridge was removed using a cargo crane and the prefabricated new one was lifted into place.
It is based on reinforced concrete support beams behind the abutments, which were preserved due to nature conservation requirements.
The bridge is wider, has a steel railing with a safety grille and a curve that is not a problem for walkers and wheelchairs.
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Müller thanked Claudia Wenzel from the building department of the Schondorf administrative community.
She held all the threads together and led the Greifenberg local council professionally through the process.