93,000 euros for planning: Vegesacker Bridge before partial demolition!

93,000 euros for planning: Vegesacker Bridge before partial demolition!

In Bremen there is news about the bascule bridge in the Vegesack Museum Harbor: The city's deputation for economy and ports has already released 93,000 euros for the planning of the partial demolition. But one thing is clear - these funds will initially flow into the planning, not into the demolition itself. The Bremen Economic Development Agency (WFB) is taking over the implementation of this project. According to Juliane Scholz, spokeswoman for the WFB, the high planning costs justify the scope of the task package.

The plans include detailed preparation for the bridge dismantling, the necessary approval procedures and property monitoring during dismantling. The WFB is currently working on commissioning a planning office, which will then draw up a schedule for the next steps. The forecast is that the planning should be completed by next winter. However, depending on the costs determined, additional resolutions could be necessary before the demolition can begin.

Necessity of demolition

The bascule bridge must be demolished because it is no longer able to be opened. However, the exact costs for the demolition are still unclear. The responsible committee of Bremen's citizens had to approve the financing of the planning, as the demolition could also have some unpleasant side effects, such as a detour of around 400 meters for pedestrians and cyclists. The question also remains open as to whether a new bridge will be built at the same location.

At an August meeting of the Vegesack advisory board, various scenarios for the future of the bridge were discussed. The cheapest option that the planners have considered is partial demolition, which is estimated to cost between 200,000 and a maximum of 450,000 euros. However, dismantling can only begin if the final costs are below the 500,000 euro mark. Otherwise, budgetary decisions would be necessary.

Infrastructure projects in Bremen

But Bremen doesn't just have its construction sites with the Vegesacker Bridge. The entire transport network is facing extensive renovation tasks, with the safety and performance of the infrastructure being the top priority. This leads to many construction sites and possibly a restriction on road traffic and public transport. The challenges should not be underestimated, especially due to the increasing traffic volumes in the region and the limited Weser crossings.

The city is already working on several renovation projects, such as the renovation of the Weser Bridge, which will last until 2027, and the Mayor Smidt Bridge, which is scheduled to reopen at the end of February 2025. The plans are diverse and the cooperation between the project sponsors plays a crucial role in ensuring that everything is coordinated well.

In summary, the Vegesack bascule bridge is at a turning point. The plans for partial demolition are now on the table, while Bremen as a whole is heading for major infrastructural changes. The coming months will show how these challenges develop and what solutions can ultimately be implemented.