Urgency is growing: Mauthausen plans dual bridge solution for the Danube

Urgency is growing: Mauthausen plans dual bridge solution for the Danube

Mauthausen/Pyburg. The city of Mauthausen faces major challenges in terms of building a new Danube bridge. The proposed start of construction is very delayed because there are currently objections that stop the project. The team, which is responsible for the project, has therefore decided to develop an alternative plan, a so -called "Plan B". This plan provides to replace the structure of the existing bridge instead of building a completely new bridge.

Infrastructure State Councilor Günther Steinkellner (FPÖ) recently said that the construction of the bridge continues to be a priority. The new construction is expected to run 700 meters downstream and extends from a hub in Upper Austria to the Danube to a hub in Pyburg and then further to the B1 in Lower Austria. After completing the new building, the old structure of the Danube Bridge is to be demolished and rebuilt.

The delays and their effects

The original plans were submitted in July 2022 for the environmental impact assessment, which was positively approved in February 2024. However, a procedure at the Federal Administrative Court (BVWG) has started since April 2024, caused by complaints from project opponents. In July 2024 it was decided that the suspensive effect of the decision will be lifted from the UVP notification. This makes uncertainty about the further course of the project even greater, which also influences the planning of the alternative plan, as stone waiter emphasized.

A negotiation for February 2025 has already been set to clarify the situation. Steinkellner made it clear that those responsible are now working "dual": in addition to the new building, the preparations for the excitement exchange of the existing bridge are started. This is a reasonable caution if the new building is further delayed.

Tina Christenberger, the project manager of the bridges and tunnel construction department, noted that the existing bridge built in 1961 as a temporary bridge and is increasing closer to the end of her useful life. The stress caused by traffic, especially through heavy load vehicles, have significantly worsened the condition of the bridge.

To ensure security, regular checks and renovations of the existing bridge are carried out. Although its own stray vehicle was purchased and a speed restriction of 30 km/h has been arranged, the condition of the bridge remains worrying. Christenberger warned that despite all the efforts, the day will come, on which external specialist also considers the bridge operation to be justifiable.

economic consequences in the implementation of Plan B

As part of Plan B, the structure would probably be replaced in the summer of 2028, which would go hand in hand with a total lock of the bridge around three months. This lock would have a massive impact on traffic: a detour of around 40 kilometers would have to be accepted to get from Pyburg to Mauthausen despite the lock. The shortest detour would lead to the Steyregger Bridge due to the already heavily frequented road network from Linz. Other possible routes could lead to the opposite Danube via Greiner Brücke and the A1 and B3, which could even mean a detour up to 75 kilometers.

A study of the traffic model shows a significant increase in vehicles on the surrounding streets during the construction phase: For example, around 5,500 vehicles per day is expected on the A7 Danube bridge, an increase of 6 percent. Up to 11,800 vehicles could be added every day on the B3 Steyregger Bridge - this corresponds to an increase of 43 percent. These developments show how important the new building or conversion of the bridge is for the region's transport infrastructure.

Steinkellner remains optimistic that there will be a solution for the bridge project. He and his colleagues agree that at least four lanes on two bridges are necessary for upcoming traffic developments to cope with the traffic problems in the region. Around 22,000 vehicles currently use the existing bridge every day, and this number will increase to around 28,000 vehicles by 2035, which underlines the urgency of the renovation or new building.

For more information about the ongoing developments around the Donaubrücke Mauthausen, .