New Great Bridge near Grimma: Start of construction for traffic until 2028!

New Great Bridge near Grimma: Start of construction for traffic until 2028!

Grimma. A huge noise booms over the A14 bridge at Grimma, while vehicles roll over the old bridge. But that's not all! In a huge tent right next door, the parts for the new bridge are mounted, which will soon replace the old one. The two bridges are only about 15 meters apart, and the preparations for the demolition of the old structure are in full swing.

The Autobahn GmbH continuously monitors the condition of the existing bridge. Daily checks and annual inspections are routine, and the last comprehensive examination showed that the condition of the bridge has deteriorated from a grade of 2.3 to 2.5. Thomas Wirth, head of construction management, explains: "This is still perfectly fine." But the alarm bells ring! Restrictions must be considered from a value of 3.4, and from 3.5 a new building is essential. Fortunately, the replacement is already in progress, and the new bridge will be part of the future Bridge.

moisture and raging joints

The bridge, which was built in 1970, has had its best days. Heavy traffic has increased dramatically, and forecasts speak of up to 46,000 vehicles daily until 2030. This number could already be reached! The building test has determined moisture and crack formation on the joints, which could lead to stability problems. In order to counteract this, steel beams were installed under the road, and 400 plaster brands were used as a warning system.

Up to 40 workers are active on the construction site, and the fifth of seven advances in the steel structure is underway. The construction is pushed over the bridge pillars with a special lubricant that is applied to Teflon plates. The new bridge is said to be completed by the end of 2028, while the traffic will flow over the replacement bridge to the completion of the entire Great Bridge in Vierschwurig. An exciting chapter for the A14 at Grimma, which still has many surprises!