© Marc Hoscheid
Delays continue to plague Diekirch's replacement bridge for the closed pedestrian bridge, with the sturdier temporary structure now unlikely to open before November, or even February, while no date has yet been set for the full renovation.
The opening was originally planned for September, yet the reasons for the delay remain unclear. The National Roads Administration now points to November as the new target date, but in local political circles the news has been met with frustration, with some voices off the record calling it a "disgrace". There is even speculation that the structure might only be ready by February next year.
The pedestrian bridge over the River Sûre, known locally as the Fisselsbréck, has been closed since April last year because the cables supporting the structure were found to be in poor condition. The bridge links the park behind the town hall with the Sauerwiss district. The structure, built in 1975, measures 70 metres in length and is made of steel and reinforced concrete.
About a month after the closure, a pontoon bridge was installed nearby as a temporary solution. However, the local council had already insisted that a sturdier replacement was needed quickly, since the pontoon bridge has to be closed whenever water levels rise.
Preparatory work for the more solid temporary bridge began on both sides of the Sûre earlier this year and was supposed to be completed by mid-September, following the collective summer holiday. That deadline has now slipped. Once the new temporary bridge does open, the pontoon bridge will be dismantled.
As for the long-term renovation of the pedestrian bridge itself, no timetable has yet been set.
