German Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder warns of further unexpected bridge closures
Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder said that sudden closures of deteriorating bridges can happen again. He referred to the Bonn Nordbrücke on Autobahn 565, which showed rapid decay in weeks and will be demolished and rebuilt. Schnieder stressed that 8,000 bridges in Germany need renovation or replacement, with about 4,000 core‑network structures scheduled for work by 2032, and that tighter inspections are now in place.
Similar infrastructure problems are affecting other routes: the Wupper bridge in Leverkusen‑Opladen will operate on a single track until September, limiting regional and long‑distance trains. The Wiedbrücke on B 42 near Neuwied‑Irlich faces a partial daytime closure in August for repair work. The A40 Ruhrschnellweg in the Ruhr area will be fully closed for a week to install quiet‑asphalt. Additional closures are planned on the A1 at Wallenhorst, the A40, A72 and A4 in other regions, and a three‑week rail blockage on the Emden‑Norddeich line during peak holiday travel. These disruptions impact commuters, freight traffic and regional mobility across Germany.