New construction of the bridge in Biberach: Flood protection in focus

New construction of the bridge in Biberach: Flood protection in focus

In Biberach, an important infrastructure project is promoted: The construction of a new bridge that leads over the Ratzengraben is to be completed by November. This project is not only a structural necessity, but also contributes significantly to the city's flood protection. The old bridge construction had been in a desolate condition for over 70 years and had to be demolished due to massive damage.

Meaning of flood protection

The old bridge had its best days behind it, especially after the flood was damaged in 2021. "The old bridge was in a very dilapidated condition," explains Peter Münsch, head of the civil engineering team of the city of Biberach. A quick action was necessary, especially in view of the heavy rain cases that occurred at the same time this year. The timely demolition decision turned out to be a blessing: "The flood dam and the missing bridge saved the city center," says Münsch.

Financial aspects and construction costs

The total construction costs for the new bridge are estimated at around 1.7 million euros, of which the city expects almost half a million euros. The planning of the construction project also took into account the need to make the bridge higher than the old one in order to ensure an improved flow capacity in the event of flood events.

Challenges during construction

However, the construction work is not without difficulty. The reallocation of supply lines that were housed in the old bridge and the unstable surface make progress more complicated than originally planned. In order to improve the load -bearing capacity, additional concrete bore piles are required, which have now been installed. Thereafter, precast concrete parts are to be used, which can significantly shorten the construction time.

Weather-dependent completion

Another challenge is the possibly damaged power line, which was impaired by the flood events. Münsch expresses concerns that these factors could influence timely completion in November. "We are relatively good on schedule, but the weather must fit to carry out the coating work," he explains. Nevertheless, it remains optimistic, since the current weather conditions may take into account and accommodate recent adjustments in the climate.

Overall, this project not only shows the need to maintain older infrastructure, but also how important flood protection measures are in times of increasing weather extremes. If everything goes according to plan, Rollinstrasse could be released for traffic from November, which would be a significant relief for the residents.