Gänstor Bridge: The Nighttime “Wedding” Is Postponed Again

The crucial construction phase at the Gänstor Bridge in Ulm is once again delayed: The planned “wedding” – in bridge construction, the moment when the gap between two bridge sections is closed for the first time – cannot take place as scheduled. The cause is problems in the logistics of heavy transports. Nevertheless, this step remains central to the construction process, as it prepares the next phase of the replacement project.

According to information from the project environment, the date was initially moved to avoid Pentecost traffic, because the permit for the heavy transport had to be adjusted. Project manager Timo Roth explained this with the increased traffic volume: “Due to the traffic volume, the heavy transport permit was changed.” This initially postponed the action by one day to Wednesday. On Wednesday, it then became apparent that even this date could not be met: The transport got stuck at a construction site near Görlitz and is now expected to arrive in Ulm only in the early morning hours – too late to begin the installation as planned.

Logistics as a Bottleneck: Why the Installation Has to Wait

Affected are four bridge elements, each weighing up to 40 tons, which are being brought from Krakow to Ulm by heavy transport. In this construction phase, progress depends directly on a tightly scheduled process: delivery at night, positioning on the construction site, and subsequent installation of the components. If the transport is delayed, the time window for the crane lift is automatically postponed – and thus the most visible milestone of this stage.

It is also reported from the project environment that the oversized vehicle may only pass the construction site near Görlitz with an additional escort vehicle, which was not planned originally. Such requirements are not unusual for large transports: route approvals, construction site locations, and escort concepts practically determine whether a transport can “pass through” within a tight night window at all.

The connection of the western bridge half is now scheduled for the night from Thursday to Friday. The night from Friday to Saturday is planned as a backup.

Nighttime Closures: What Changes for Drivers

For car traffic, the Gänstor Bridge will be completely closed at night during the multi-day operation. The closures apply on the nights of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, each from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Traffic will be diverted via the Herd Bridge and the Adenauer Bridge.

The pedestrian and bicycle path on the Gänstor Bridge will remain open according to information from the project environment.

The city of Ulm has also announced that the installation will be accompanied by a livestream. Anyone who wants to observe the work directly, according to project manager Roth, has a good view from the old bridge: “You can see it well from the old bridge.” The nighttime operation will take place under floodlights.

Why the “Wedding” Is Important – and What Comes Next

Even though the “wedding” is considered a symbolic moment, it is only one building block in the overall project. It initially concerns the western side of the new Gänstor Bridge. After the installation, the parts must be fixed and welded; then the road surface follows.

At the beginning of September, traffic is expected to roll over the new bridge half for the first time. In view of the expected load – in the future, tens of thousands of cars per day are to cross the bridge – this interim step is crucial for traffic: Only when traffic is shifted to the new western half can the eastern side of the existing bridge be demolished and rebuilt.

According to the city, the overall project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027. The total cost is stated as 53 million euros. The renewed postponement mainly changes the schedule for this construction phase – it does not change the fundamental process of the replacement construction.