The first traffic signs have already been erected: The Nuremberg State Building Authority is introducing traffic restrictions on the Main-Danube canal bridge between Erlangen and Dechsendorf from mid-March. The reason for this is the limited load-bearing capacity of the structure. Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 7.5 tons will therefore no longer be allowed to cross the bridge until it is replaced. School and public buses will receive an exemption. In addition, the number of lanes will be reduced from four to two. Pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to use the bridge.
Heavy goods traffic will be diverted
For the majority of road users, there will be no or only minor restrictions. Cars, motorcycles and light commercial vehicles under 7.5 tons can continue to use the bridge. Heavy goods traffic will be diverted via the canal crossing on Kosbacher Damm, around 1.5 kilometers to the south. The detour will be via Am Europakanal, Kosbacher Damm and Möhrendorfer Straße. Möhrendorfer Straße will be restricted to 30 km/h to reduce traffic congestion. Built in 1968, the bridge is a central link for commuter traffic to the western districts of Erlangen and the Erlangen-Höchstadt district and serves as a feeder road to the A3 and A73 highways. On average, it is used by 14,000 vehicles a day.
Construction time of three to four years for replacement construction
A recent structural analysis showed that the bridge can no longer fully accommodate the existing traffic. The new replacement bridge will be built south of the existing bridge in order to reduce traffic restrictions to a minimum. A new replacement in situ would have meant a full closure for at least two years.
Construction is expected to start in spring 2026. Construction is expected to take three to four years. The new bridge is expected to be available in 2029. The old bridge will then be dismantled.
