Barricade on Eselswiese Bridge over Lahn River: Delay Caused by Immobile Truck
On Monday, June 23rd, traffic safety measures will be implemented in the direction of Wetzlar for the setting up of a construction site, marking the beginning of the next phase of bridge reinforcement on the "Eselsbrücke" bridge over federal highway 429 in Lahnstein. This phase is expected to continue until winter 2025/2026.
During this phase, a second phase of bridge reinforcement will take place, involving the demolition and rebuilding of the existing bridge caps on the east side of the structure with lightweight concrete. The cycle and pedestrian path on the bridge will be closed for work, but a detour via the surrounding paths and the state road 3359 (Lahnparkstraße) will be signposted in both directions.
Traffic on the B 429 in the area of the bridge will be fully redirected onto the opposite lane during this phase. However, no full closure is required for these works. The goal of these maintenance measures is to allow vehicles weighing up to 44 tons to cross the "Eselsbrücke" bridge.
Roadway repairs on B 429 are nearly completed, and upon the completion of the current road resurfacing work, there will be another construction phase on the "Eselsbrücke" bridge in late summer 2025. Two lanes in each direction will be usable again, with an overtaking ban for trucks.
The 1971-built steel composite bridge "Eselswiese" has been closed to traffic heavier than 3.5 tonnes since April 2023. The weight restriction of 3.5 tons on the "Eselsbrücke" bridge on federal road B 429 is expected to be lifted in the medium term. The renewal of the bridge in the direction of Wettenberg and the bridge cap is expected to take about three months.
The upcoming reinforcement of the bridge will counteract the bulging of the steel main girders, built in 1971. Lightweight concrete will be used to renew the bridge caps, which will not impact their function. Work on the "Eselsbrücke" bridge is expected to continue until winter 2025/2026, with some remaining work and the clearing of the construction site around the bridge expected to last until the end of spring 2026.
The city of Lahnstein will begin the next construction phase to reinforce the "Eselsbrücke" bridge over federal highway 429 in 2025, and the anticipated end date for the entire project is winter 2025/2026. The "Eselsbrücke" bridge works are expected to begin before Christmas 2024, and the project is scheduled to continue until the bridge can safely accommodate vehicles weighing up to 44 tons.
