Shadows and constant moisture have destroyed the Steigerweg Bridge in Miesbach. Load-bearing parts have rotted. Traffic safety is no longer guaranteed and the bridge is closed. It is to be replaced – this time in steel.
Miesbach – The wooden bridge over the Schlierach on Steigerweg in Miesbach actually lasted a long time. Built in 1986, the first defects were discovered during the main inspection in August 2022. Before these could be remedied due to a lack of a carpenter, the blockage followed.
As Jürgen Brückner from the civil engineering department explained to the city council on Thursday evening, it makes sense to no longer make the new bridge in wood but in steel because of the permanent moisture. According to an initial rough estimate, the costs are 120,000 euros including additional costs, as the bridge foundations are still in order. The bridge could be manufactured and installed in 2025. Since 60,000 euros have already been set aside in the budget for 2024, planning and demolition can begin this year. In terms of cost, it makes no difference whether you use wood, steel or reinforced concrete. And you can also apply for funding.
Discussion about material
According to Erhard Pohl (CSU), the bridge is being put to good use. However, the question arises as to whether planning is required or whether these costs can be saved. He also asked whether the bridge needed to be torn down right now. It is blocked, and if people still use it, it is at their own risk.
According to Brückner, the early dismantling is necessary in order to be able to examine the substructure for the new bridge. However, his advice to rely on steel was questioned by some council members. Forest farmer Michael Lechner (FL) once again campaigned for wood and pointed out that a wooden bridge with a roof lasts 100 years. An additional effort, which, according to Paul Fertl (SPD), also causes additional costs: “If steel makes sense, then we will do it with steel.” Stefan Griesbeck (CSU), on the other hand, suggested thinking about aluminum. This possibility should at least be investigated by the administration over the telephone.
Criticism of planning costs
In order to save costs, Markus Baumgartner (CSU) advocated reducing the planning effort and relying on modular construction. “The tailor-made suit is always more expensive than the off-the-rack suit,” he said. In addition, as an auditor, he has repeatedly had to realize that “20 percent of the costs are often for planning”. He therefore suggested inviting companies to take a look at the bridge situation – “that doesn’t cost us anything”. Which Brückner did not support. An “off-the-shelf bridge” brings no financial advantages, as temporary bridges would cost between 80,000 and 90,000 euros. And Mayor Gerhard Braunmiller (CSU), himself a planner, emphasized: “If you save on planning, you often pay twice as much.”
With one vote against, the city council voted in favor of a new building. An ultimately central decision. Because if the bridge were no longer built, the limited public dedication of the pedestrian path up to Frauenschulstrasse would no longer apply due to the Bavarian Roads and Highways Act.
ddy