New bridge near Vienna: Inzell and Hammer reconnected

New bridge near Vienna: Inzell and Hammer reconnected

The new bridge near Vienna on the connection between Inzell and Hammer has finally opened. After months of construction work that faced numerous delays and challenges, pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use the new crossing without restrictions. This bridge cost a total of 600,000 euros to complete and there were several unforeseen hurdles during the construction process.

Construction began immediately after the Easter holidays on April 8, 2024. The original plan was to complete the new building the year before, but the intensive planning work and detailed statics and reports required more thorough preparation. During the demolition work, it unexpectedly emerged that the subsoil beneath the stream bed was in a precarious condition. This required deeper digging and additional bored piles, further disrupting the schedule.

Challenges during construction work

One of the biggest difficulties during the project was the risk of flooding. During the construction phase there were heavy rains twice, especially in September, which almost put the crane at risk. “Thanks to targeted measures, we were able to avert major damage,” explains construction manager Hansjörg Mayer. Despite these problems, the construction site was also a sensitive point as it was located directly on the popular cycling and hiking trail between Inzell and Hammer. To prevent accidents, a comprehensive barrier was necessary, which led to intensive discussions with cyclists trying to get across the construction site.

The new bridge was extended by one meter and raised by 30 centimeters, which should no longer cause any problems even in the event of possible flooding. In order to make the road connection stable and visually appealing, large natural stone walls were built. This guarantees that the bridge can be used for many more years without any weight restrictions. Telekom also took the opportunity to lay a fiber optic cable and a new power line.

Mayor Michael Lorenz praised the cooperation with the companies involved and, above all, the performance of the executing company Mayer from Ruhpolding. “The communication was excellent and we had a pleasant partner,” emphasized Lorenz. Sepp Eder, Inzell's building authority manager, also confirmed that despite the challenges, the agreements worked well, which was crucial for the progress of the construction site.

The municipality of Inzell can look forward to support of 277,000 euros from the government of Upper Bavaria, which will help keep costs under control. The bridge is now fully functional again and represents an important connection between Inzell and Hammer, which is of great importance for both residents and tourists. For more information about the construction work, see www.ovb-online.de.