Diekirch bridge likely to remain closed for years

The ageing bridge, adorned with distinctive steel cables, has served the community for nearly five decades. However, years of wear and tear have taken their toll, evident in the pronounced rust on the cables. Despite recent efforts to mitigate corrosion with specialised treatments, recent inspections have revealed significant deterioration in certain sections, prompting the Bridges and Roads Authority to recommend closure.

José Lopes, a Democratic Party (DP) member of the municipal executive board (Schäfferot), clarified that while the risk of structural collapse remains low, the primary concern is the potential hazard posed by failing cables.

"The danger lies in the possibility of a cable breaking while crossing, posing a direct risk to pedestrians," Lopes explained.

Municipality calls for temporary solution before end of Easter holidays

With the bridge's closure impacting not only the Sauerwiss neighbourhood but also the broader Merten campus, which sees daily foot traffic from hundreds of students, the municipality is pressing for immediate measures to alleviate disruptions, particularly in the form of a temporary pontoon bridge.

"We had hoped that the temporary solution, similar to what was implemented during the renovation of the stone bridge in Diekirch, would be in place by the resumption of school after the Easter holidays. Unfortunately, we are yet to receive feedback, possibly due to uncertainties within the Bridges and Roads Authority regarding implementation timelines," Lopes stated.

Plans are underway for the construction of a permanent replacement bridge in subsequent phases, offering a more robust alternative to interim solutions.

"We were told that there are more advanced methods in this respect than, as I call them, the empty Lego bricks that are basically placed on the water for people to walk across," Lopes explained.

Sauerwiss residents express discontent over bridge closure

Concerns regarding the extended closure of the local bridge extend beyond the student population, as residents of the Sauerwiss neighbourhood voice dissatisfaction with the inconvenience posed by alternative routes.

"We've predominantly received feedback from Sauerwiss residents, highlighting the significant impact on their daily commutes to Diekirch. The ease of access to facilities such as the town hall or the town centre has been compromised, resulting in longer and more challenging journeys," Lopes remarked.

Relief appears distant as enquiries to the Bridges and Roads Authority indicate that bridge repairs will not start until next year, with an estimated duration of approximately one year.

Setbacks for wooden bridge renovation

Plans for an additional cycle bridge in Ingeldorf as part of the Mobility Plan 2035 may face alterations due to the unforeseen maintenance requirements of the steel cable bridge.

"We have to consider that. So far, we had no reason to work directly on this bridge, so a different bridge would have made more sense. Now we have to work on this bridge at very short notice and on a very large scale, which may of course impact the project," Lopes noted.

The condition of the steel cable bridge is also expected to impact the proposed renovation of the nearby wooden bridge. Originally slated for surface renewal, work on the wooden bridge will likely be postponed until after the completion of repairs on the steel cable bridge.

It is worth noting that the steel cable bridge occupies the historical site of a former railway bridge along the Ettelbruck-Wasserbillig railway line.

Full report by RTL Télé (in Luxembourgish)