Bridge over the Trebel in Wotenick: Urgent renovation is imminent!

Bridge over the Trebel in Wotenick: Urgent renovation is imminent!

In the Hanseatic city of Demmin, an urgent renovation of the bridge over the Trebel near Wotenick is on the agenda. A motion from the CDU parliamentary group was discussed in the Urban Development Committee, which calls for funds to be made available for modernization in the 2026 budget. A recent bridge check revealed serious conditions: The bridge's superstructure is severely worn and the underside of the road shows significant damage. These 55-year-old reinforced concrete slabs are crumbling, leaving the steel reinforcements visible and rusting. Due to these deficiencies, the district reacted and closed the bridge immediately.

In order to still allow traffic to flow, city craftsmen carried out emergency repairs. This is intended to make the bridge usable as a “secret path” during the renovation of the Kahlden Bridge. A special locking system was installed, which stipulates that a maximum of one vehicle is allowed to drive on the bridge at the same time - with a weight of no more than six tons and a maximum speed of ten kilometers per hour. Despite these measures, the continuous wear and tear is evident. A complete closure could occur at any time, which is why a thorough renovation is urgently needed. This bridge is not only an important traffic artery, but also essential for rescue workers.

Financial challenges and political debates

The CDU parliamentary group's application for renovation is estimated at 500,000 euros and sparked an intensive discussion about the Hanseatic city's financial possibilities. The CDU would like to anchor the renovation as a priority investment in the 2026 budget. But the debates were heated: the proposal was referred to the committees by 13 votes to 11 by the AfD and UWG. So it is unclear how quickly the renovation measures can be implemented.

On the positive side, a request from the administration to immediately allocate funds for planning the bridge renovation was approved. The mayor is now tasked with obtaining funding that requires the municipality to contribute its own contribution. Negotiations are currently underway with the Neustrelitz road construction authority to receive funding of up to 65 percent of the costs. This could give the city some breathing room amid financial challenges.

A bridge of national importance

The importance of the bridge infrastructure cannot be underestimated. How bmv.de reports, Germany has an efficient transport infrastructure with around 40,300 bridges, most of which were built between 1960 and 1985. Given the increase in heavy traffic, comprehensive maintenance and modernization measures must be carried out. The newly launched bridge modernization program aims to accelerate these measures and adapt them to the increased requirements in terms of load-bearing capacity and traffic safety.

The comprehensive bridge modernization network covers around 7,000 kilometers and around 10,700 substructures. Within the next decade, a continuous core network of routes with the required carrying capacity is to be created, which should even be implemented by 2030. This network will contribute to improving the connectivity of transport systems in Europe and is crucial for large-capacity and heavy-duty transport that requires authorisation.

The need for action is clear. Everyone involved in Demmin is required to ensure that the bridge in Wotenick and other important structures can continue to carry traffic safely and reliably.