Potential repeat breaching of Marode Vorlandbrücke on the A643 motorway close to Mainz-Mombach; possibility of future structural damages?
The Mombach approach bridge, built in 1962, is facing increasing strain from heavy vehicles and increased traffic, making it no longer adequate for today's demands. This aging bridge, located on the A643 highway, is a safety-critical bottleneck.
The Autobahn GmbH has set up a project page for the planned new construction of the A 643 approach bridge in Mainz-Mombach, which can be found on their website. However, the current political stance in Mainz opposes the expansion of the A643 highway due to ongoing protests, which implies resistance to the associated necessity of a new Schiersteiner bridge connection.
The A643 highway passes through the "Mainzer Sand" nature reserve with a four-lane expansion, running over an approach bridge that is in poor condition. The increased demands could lead to "premature material fatigue and thus a reduction in the service life of the structures."
Without expansion planning, no bridge replacement will occur. Minister Schmitt warns of the consequences of delays in the construction project of the Mombach approach bridge. The federal government emphasizes that the Schiersteiner Bridge was completely rebuilt in recent years due to premature material fatigue and a reduction in the service life of the structures.
In an effort to enforce safety and load-bearing capacity concerns, vehicles with more than 3.5 tons may no longer use the affected ramps. Starting Thursday, September 18, 2025, access roads to the ramps will be adjusted to make it harder for vehicles over 3.5 tons to use the ramps incorrectly. If no significant change in behaviour is detected, the ramps of the approach bridge will be closed for all traffic in the first week of October.
Police checks show that a high number of road users are disregarding the weight restriction. As a result, the Autobahn GmbH had to close western off-ramps of the A 643 for vehicles over 3.5 tons in mid-April. Access ramps on and from the Schiersteiner Bridge in Mainz-Mombach have been closed to trucks since mid-April, but this closure is being ignored.
Reinforcing older bridges like the Mombach approach bridge is "only possible to a limited extent and often with great technical and financial effort." For more information on the debate about the expansion of the A643, visit the Autobahn GmbH's project page on their website. Traffic situation at the ramps will be monitored until the end of September 2025.
The dispute over the expansion plans for the entire A643 highway is preventing the urgent rebuilding of the Mombach approach bridge. The Autobahn GmbH emphasizes that any delay in the construction project could have serious consequences. The public is encouraged to stay informed and follow traffic updates as the situation develops.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
