“The solution is a central concern of the region that we are implementing,” emphasized Lower Austria’s LH deputy Udo Landbauer (FPÖ) on Monday. “There is a clear decision for a replacement bridge to enable a safe crossing of the Danube during the three-year construction phase of the existing bridge,” it said in a release. The work is scheduled to begin in 2026.
Danube crossing without wasting time
According to Landbauer, “constructive” discussions are currently underway with the Federal Monuments Office (BDA) in order to widen the 130-year-old Danube bridge without jeopardizing the monument protection requirements. The measure serves traffic safety in particular. The aim is a bridge that will continue to meet the requirements of modern mobility over the next 130 years and take all road users – drivers, agricultural vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians – into account. “The region wants and needs an efficient bridge that makes people’s everyday lives easier and can handle traffic efficiently. We are doing everything we can to make this happen,” said the State Transport Council.
“I am very happy that we have reached the solution that enables a crossing of the Danube without any loss of time,” said State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP) in a written statement. During the renovation, a replacement bridge will be in operation, “which will continue to maintain the region’s high quality of life without restrictions. The cumbersome and time-consuming ferry solution has therefore been cancelled.”
Corrosion requires renovation work
According to the information, ongoing renovation work must currently be carried out on the existing bridge in order to contain the progressive corrosion of the bridge elements. This requires, among other things, extensive blasting and coating work. According to the release, the maintenance costs for 2025 will be around 400,000 euros. During the work, part of the B3 will be inaccessible for a few weeks. “However, there will not be a total closure,” it was stated.
The bridge inspection for 2024, which was completed a few weeks ago, showed that use will definitely be possible under the current restrictions for 2025. The maximum permissible total weight of the vehicles remains reduced to five tons.
25 million euros investment
A temporary bridge during the renovation had been discussed for a long time. Corresponding plans were initially rejected, among other things, for cost reasons – an additional investment of 35 million euros was rumored. After criticism from politicians and the public, a replacement bridge is now being built.
