More than a third of all bridges must be renovated

“The Danube Bridge in Mauthausen connects regions, economic areas and especially people between Upper and Lower Austria,” says a current broadcast of the state of Upper Austria. She still does that, you have to add to this point. Because at the latest in the summer of 2028 the Danube in Mauthausen becomes an insurmountable obstacle for several months. Then the existing, dilapidated steel bridge (built in 1961) must be closed to traffic. A comprehensive renovation is inevitable. This construction site would not have been a big problem for traffic if the second bridge, which had been promised by politics for decades, had already been finished. But, as reported, your building is still delayed by years due to a continuing legal dispute with the project opponents. The effects of this lock will be noticeable: “It means great detours, significant loss of time and economic losses,” says Günther Steinkellner (FP).

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Mauthausen is just an example of a bigger problem: Upper Austria’s bridges age rapidly. Hundreds must be renovated or rebuilt in the coming years.

Lifespan achieved

The state administration is responsible for the preservation of around 3,000 bridge objects on state and federal roads in Upper Austria. Many of them do not perceive the handlebars that they travel as such: valley transitions or low bridge over streams, for example. Regardless of whether large or small, you can generally be said: Upper Austria’s bridges are getting on in years. 1307, which fall into the area of ​​responsibility of the country, were built in 1955 and 1974. But when a bridge is considered too old? For those who were built before 1970, the planned lifespan is estimated at the age of 70. With new bridges, it is 100 years thanks to better materials and modern construction.

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