What about our highway bridges? Alexander Walcher, director of ASFINAG-Baumanagement, knows whether a tragedy like the one in the US could also happen in Austria. He also explains which road construction concerns him most.
“Kron”: Could a catastrophe like the one in Baltimore also happen here?
Alexander Walcher: Our bridges are built to withstand the impact of ships. However, all pillars are equipped with radar mirrors so that no accidents can happen. What happens again and again is that protruding parts of ships damage the structure of the building. As soon as something like this happens, experts check the bridge. There are no huge ships like those in the US on the Danube.
How does highway bridge inspection usually work?
External specialists inspect our 5,800 bridges every six years. In addition, ASFINAG has a program that checks the material in detail every two years.
And what about our bridges?
Thanks to our system, our bridges are probably among the safest in the world. We give school grades. More than 50 percent of the designs are rated very good and good. Means: They are as good as new.
Which highway bridge are you most concerned about right now?
A problem case is the Lueg bridge on the Brenner highway. We have been wanting to rebuild this crossing for three years. But we cannot implement this because of community resistance. A special monitoring system ensures safety here. The condition of the bridge is checked weekly.
When will a new bridge actually be built?
In general, we only renovate bridges if they are in poor condition. The intrinsic value of a building must be preserved. We therefore approach construction sites earlier. This often causes surprise among drivers. Because the bridge still looks good and is still being renovated.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
