Pirna bypass project faces massive cost increases and delays

The B172n southern bypass in Pirna, Germany, has become one of the country's most expensive road projects, with costs escalating from an initial estimate of 36 million euros in the late 1990s to approximately 288.4 million euros. This results in a cost of roughly 75.9 million euros per kilometer for the 3.8-kilometer stretch.

Construction of the 916-meter-long Gottleubatalbrücke has been halted due to structural defects. Inspectors discovered cavities in the concrete of four Y-shaped bridge pillars caused by improper workmanship. While the responsible contractor is expected to cover the costs of repairs using special concrete, a definitive timeline for completion remains uncertain, with a target opening now pushed to 2027.

Additional delays affected the 315-meter Kohlberg tunnel, caused by soft rock formations and the need to protect local bat populations. Once completed, the bypass is intended to divert transit traffic away from Pirna's city center and provide a connection to the A17 motorway between Dresden and Prague.