Absence of unfinished motorway overpasses in Saxony confirmed. - No inappropriate highway bridges found in Saxony (area of Germany)
Saxony boasts an exceptional infrastructure, with all its highway bridges reported in satisfactory condition, according to a recent analysis by the Federal Association for the Maintenance of Concrete Structures. This analysis was based on data from the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt).
The assessment revealed that all 155 Saxon highway bridges with a minimum length of 50 meters were rated at least 2.9 (sufficient condition) on the institute's six-tier scale. Seven out of ten structures in the Free State fall into the range of 2.0 to 2.4, signifying a satisfactory condition, and close to 90% are in good to satisfactory condition, as stated by the State Office for Road Construction and Traffic.
In comparison, over 10% of the approximately 3,800 bridges nationwide are rated as not sufficient or insufficient, and the highest incidences of bridges with condition ratings of 3.3 or worse are seen in North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse.
While the federal government oversees highway bridges, responsibility for bridges on federal and state roads lies with the Free State of Saxony. Although over 70% of the structures in Saxony fall within the satisfactory range, there are still 77 bridges on federal roads and 174 on state roads with a rating of 3.0 or worse.
Following the partial collapse of the Dresden Carol Bridge, Saxony initiated independent special inspections on 19 structures, including those built with Hennigsdorf reinforcement steel that can potentially suffer from stress corrosion cracking. Actions taken following these inspections include the months-long closure of the Elbe Bridge on the B172 in Bad Schandau and the demolition of the railway bridge on the B101 in Großenhain last December.
In conclusion, the condition of Saxony's highway bridges is notably superior to some other German states such as North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse, suggesting effective monitoring and maintenance programs to ensure safety and structural integrity.
The favorable condition of Saxony's infrastructure extends beyond just highways, as the Community policy could potentially include strategies for maintaining and improving other vital structures like bridges. Vocational training in science, specifically in civil engineering, could be beneficial in ensuring the continued satisfactory health-and-wellness of Saxony's bridges. In order to attract finance for such initiatives, the state could highlight its success in maintaining a satisfactory fitness-and-exercise routine for its bridge infrastructure, compelling industry stakeholders to invest in its long-term maintenance and development. The excellent transportation network provided by the well-maintained highway bridges could also stimulate economic growth by facilitating business activities.
){kind=link}