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Salzbachtal bridge A66, Wiesbaden

Facts and Figures
Company consortium PORR / Plauen Stahl Technologie GmbH (PST)
Location Wiesbaden - Germany
Type Bridges
Runtime 02.2019 - 06.2025

Demolition and reconstruction of a motorway bridge

The Salzbachtal bridge in Wiesbaden, a 304m-long, four-lane motorway bridge on the A66, had to be demolished and rebuilt as a result of age-related deterioration and the loads from the disproportionately high increase in heavy traffic. A consortium comprising PORR and Plauen Stahl Technologie GmbH (PST) was commissioned to build a new bridge to replace the old one. The contract comprises the construction of two steel composite bridges with six reinforced concrete piers and four abutments as well as a reinforced concrete bridge across the single-track Aarltal railway. Three stormwater retention basins will also be constructed and integrated into the new drainage system. The foundation work was carried out by PORR subsidiary Stump-Franki Spezialtiefbau. The dimensions of the new motorway bridge and the noise protection provisions already take the planned six-lane expansion of the A66 into consideration.

From partial collapse to demolition
Due to the partial collapse of the southern bridge in June 2021, the two substructures of the Salzbachtal bridge were demolished simultaneously by blasting. Together, the PORR Civil Engineering division and Reisch Sprengtechnik GmbH tackled all the technical and organisational challenges arising from this exceptional situation with aplomb and in close cooperation with the federal motorway authority Autobahn GmbH. The clearing work began barely an hour after the demolition of the Salzbachtal bridge. The debris, about 15,000t of concrete and steel rubble, had to be crushed and removed from the site. A total of 17 heavy tracked excavators and three large wheel loaders were deployed at the same time for this purpose. The goal: to clear the construction site as quickly as possible to allow for work on the railway tracks, the main road and the construction of the new motorway bridge.

Watch our videos about the project: 

South bridge already open

Just a few weeks after the demolition, work began on the construction of the new bridge. The new replacement structure consists of two substructures, one for each directional carriageway. The first of four steel sections of the south bridge was slid into place with precision work in September 2022. In slow motion, at a speed of ten metres per hour, the 940-tonne, 100-metre-long bridge section was pushed almost 80 metres across the valley. The other three steel sections followed successively. The southern Salzbachtal Bridge in Wiesbaden was officially opened in December 2023. Work on the completion of the northern bridge is continuing at full speed.

A focus on meeting deadlines
The A66 is the main link between the Rheingau-Taunus district and the two state capitals Wiesbaden, and between Mainz and Frankfurt am Main via the Main-Taunus district. It is also one of Wiesbaden’s most important traffic arteries. Adherence to deadlines is a top priority for the federal motorway company Autobahn GmbH. Everyone involved in the construction is working hard and at top speed to complete the building project so that traffic on and under the bridge can resume as soon as possible. The project is currently right on schedule.