Gänstor Bridge: "Wedding" of Bridge Sections Delayed Again

The installation of the last steel sections for the new Gänstor Bridge in Ulm is once again delayed. For the 53-million-euro project, this step is still central: Only after closing the gap on the western side of the bridge can the partial opening at the beginning of September be prepared. Completion of the overall project is still planned for the end of 2027.

The connection of the new bridge sections is now scheduled for the night from Thursday to Friday. This is already the third scheduling in quick succession. Previously, the installation had been postponed twice – first due to a changed heavy transport permit during Pentecost traffic, then due to delays along the transport route.

Why the Action Is Being Postponed Again

During the upcoming "wedding," the remaining gap between two construction sections will be closed for the first time – in Ulm, this now concerns the western side. For this, four prefabricated steel elements are being brought to Ulm by heavy transport; each part weighs up to 40 tons. The components were manufactured in Krakow and must arrive within a tightly scheduled time window, as cranes, closure times, and assembly crews are coordinated with each other.

The first postponement, according to project manager Timo Roth, was related to an adjustment of the transport permit: Due to the high traffic volume around Pentecost, the permit was changed. After that, there was another delay because the heavy transport got stuck at a construction site near Görlitz and passage was only possible with an additional escort vehicle that was not originally planned.

According to the current status, the transports are expected to arrive in Ulm only in the early hours of Thursday morning. This means the original installation date can no longer be met. As a backup, the night from Friday to Saturday is planned.

Night Closures: Detours, but Pedestrian and Bicycle Path Remain Open

The installation involves several full night closures. On the nights of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the Gänstor Bridge will be completely closed to motor vehicle traffic from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. each night. The detour leads over the Herd Bridge and the Adenauer Bridge; signposted routes are intended to handle traffic while the work is ongoing. The pedestrian and bicycle path remains open.

The city of Ulm had already announced the night closure windows for the installation of the last steel sections on the western side of the bridge and is accompanying the work, among other things, with a livestream. The progress can also be observed on site – the assembly is clearly visible from the existing bridge, as project manager Roth said.

Why the West Side Is Only a Milestone – and Why It Still Matters

With the "wedding," the new section is not yet ready for traffic. After the installation, the elements must first be fixed and welded; further work follows, up to the road surface. Only at the beginning of September is traffic expected to roll over the new western half of the bridge for the first time.

Organizationally, this step is crucial because it enables the transition to the next project phase: After the partial opening, the old eastern side of the bridge is to be demolished and then rebuilt. This explains why even a short-term delay in heavy transport can have noticeable consequences – in this construction phase, the schedule depends particularly heavily on logistics, permits, and the smooth cooperation of many parties involved.

The total cost is estimated by the city of Ulm at 53 million euros. Ulm and Neu-Ulm are each covering half of the financing; in addition, there is a subsidy from the state of Baden-Württemberg amounting to 11 million euros. For this reason, the current installation is not only seen as a technical work step, but as a key milestone on the way to partial opening in September and project completion at the end of 2027.