Bridge Inquiry Led by Commission: Rammedetal Crossing Under Scrutiny
The Rahmedetal Bridge, a crucial traffic artery in the Sauerland region, has been closed since late 2021 due to an imminent collapse risk. The bridge, which carries around 64,000 vehicles daily on the A45, was demolished, and the construction of the new bridge is not expected to be completed until at least 2026.
The bridge's condition had been a subject of concern for several years. Inspection reports consistently awarded the bridge a condition grade of 3, indicating no immediate action was required at the time. However, experts called for a swift replacement of the Rahmedetal Bridge between 2010 and 2014.
The protocol for the swift replacement of the bridge was not publicly disclosed, but it was created during the tenure of Michael Groschek, an SPD politician. The protocol was not a topic during the handover of office, and it seems it was not acted upon during the time it was created.
Former Transport Minister Hendrik Wüst, who was in office during the period in question, defended himself, stating that he had trusted the expert assessments and received no concrete indications of urgency. He emphasized that he had relied on the regular inspection reports, which were produced every three years, for the Rahmedetal Bridge.
Opposition parties repeatedly asked Wüst why no repair or replacement measures were initiated for the Rahmedetal Bridge despite known defects. During a parliamentary investigation on July 3, 2025, Wüst admitted that not initiating repair or replacement measures for the Rahmedetal Bridge despite known defects was a mistake.
The delay in addressing the Rahmedetal Bridge's condition could be attributed to several factors. Financial constraints, prioritization of repairs, bureaucratic and political factors, and the gap between expert recommendations and implementation are common challenges faced in addressing infrastructure defects across Germany.
With the demolition of the Rahmedetal Bridge and the construction of a new one underway, the focus is now on ensuring such delays do not occur in the future. The investigation into the bridge's condition and the response of the authorities continues, with the aim of improving Germany's infrastructure management and ensuring the safety of its citizens.
[1] Source: Various reports on Germany's infrastructure challenges and delays in repairs and replacements.
Industry and politics played a significant role in the delay of addressing the Rahmedetal Bridge's condition. The protocol for the swift replacement of the bridge was created during the tenure of a specific politician, but it was not acted upon. Financially, there were constraints that contributed to the delay, while in policy-and-legislation, prioritization of repairs and bureaucratic factors could have affected the response time. In general-news, the demolition of the bridge and the investigation into the incident are ongoing, with the aim of improving infrastructure management and ensuring the safety of German citizens.
