Second crossing coming?

Why the bridge construction in Mautern is taking so long

The Mautern Danube Bridge, one of the most important river crossings in the Wachau, will be closed to traffic next year. How long the renovation will take is still up in the air, as is the exact start of construction. The only thing that is certain is that there will be no replacement bridge. The "Krone" has taken a close look at the project, which has been dragging on for 18 (!) years. And has also come across proposals for a "two-bridge solution".

In fact, construction work should already be underway on the ageing structure, while traffic can flow unhindered from one bank to the other via a specially constructed replacement bridge. While the start of construction on the old crossing continues to be delayed, Transport Minister Udo Landbauer (FPÖ) recently rejected the new one.

After all, the temporary crossing alone would cost 35 million euros. "And it would have to be demolished again after three years," says the politician. This statement alone at least gives an idea of the planned construction time. But why is it actually taking so long?