Protests against Sallerner Regenbrücke: Costs and noise cause controversy!

Protests against Sallerner Regenbrücke: Costs and noise cause controversy!

The debate about the construction of the Sallern Rain Bridge has flared up again in Regensburg. After the summer break, opponents of the project took a loud stand. On September 24, 2025, a bicycle demo took place from the main train station to the Hauner garden center, where over 20 groups gathered under the motto “Culture and Bass instead of the city highway”. These voices loudly express potential concerns about major investments in urban development.

The Sallern rain bridge is only part of the larger “Nordspange” project, which also includes the reconstruction of the Lappersdorf roundabout and the expansion of Nordgaustraße. While supporters hope that the north of the city, especially Amberger Straße, will be relieved, critics fear a drastic increase in noise and traffic pollution. Many see the bridge as a “huge mistake” and support the ongoing collection of signatures for a citizens’ initiative against the construction.

Costs and challenges

The official cost estimate for the “Nordspange” project is around 175 million euros. However, critics argue that the total costs could rise to over 200 million euros, especially because this estimate does not take risks or the expected increases in construction prices into account. The city of Regensburg has been adding 10 to 20 percent to investments for index and risk costs since 2023. The expansion of Nordgaustraße is particularly important, the costs of which have increased to 112 million euros, while the bridge itself is estimated at 31.1 million euros and the Lappersdorf roundabout at 41.5 million euros.

The technical planning of the Sallern rain bridge also deserves special attention. This will be realized as a multi-span bridge with eight supporting spans and a steel composite structure. The overall height of just 1.70 meters will be significantly lower than the Nibelungen Bridge, which brings both visual advantages and material cost savings. After a thorough examination of eight possible variants, the bridge planning was selected as the best from a technical, ecological, economic and design perspective.

Urban development in view

The discussion about the Sallern rain bridge is also part of a larger framework that concerns integrated urban development. According to the Federal politics Sustainable solutions in urban development should be promoted. Successful joint living space design requires diversity of perspective and equitable decision-making.

In order to promote dialogue around the Sallern Rain Bridge, there is now a new website that serves as an information platform for the city and district of Regensburg, the State Building Authority, Autobahn GmbH and the Lappersdorf market. The debate about the “Northern Span” will continue to be at the center of the discussion as the need and benefits of the project need to become clear.

It remains to be seen whether the concerns of opponents or the hopes of supporters will prevail. What is certain is that urban development in Regensburg is on an exciting path that presents both challenges and opportunities.