The three bridge structures in this section were built in 1952 and are expected to be rebuilt in 2022. The planning for the replacement construction has already been commissioned.

Statistical recalculations and regular bridge inspections have shown that the load-bearing capacity of the bridges must be reduced even before the planned new bridge construction so that they can continue to be used. "The bridge is safe if we take the load off the bridge," emphasizes city planning officer Michael Tacke.

As traffic should continue to flow on this important road, the existing two lanes were reduced to one lane in the 500-metre section between the Watenstedt slip road and the Hallendorf exit. The on- and off-ramps can still be used in this area.

The planned construction costs for the new bridge construction of around 4.65 million euros (plus planning costs of around 700,000 euros) are largely included in the municipal budget. Funding has been applied for from the state via the Municipal Financing Act.

"The planning and coordination for the new construction need a lot of lead time because the bridges run over the tracks of the transport company, next to the tracks of Deutsche Bahn and over a high-pressure gas pipeline," emphasizes Torsten Fleige-Lütgering, Head of Civil Engineering and Transport at the City of Salzgitter.

This is why the planned new construction in this section will also be complex. "We will then build the bridges over the rolling wheel," explains the head of the department. At the same time, the traffic on Industriestraße Mitte will continue to flow with around 17,000 vehicles a day.

Once construction begins, it will be necessary to divert traffic from this northern side (towards Lebenstedt) via the parallel two-lane section on the southern side (towards Immendorf). Although this would involve restrictions for road users, it was important that traffic could continue to flow during the construction work.

This detour could be made because all the bridges in this section are structurally separate and only the bridges in the northern section need to be rebuilt. The bridge in the southern section was renovated in 1978 and does not need to be replaced.

"That's very convenient," says city planning officer Michael Tacke, referring to the tied arch bridge, which had to be closed for a year due to the extensive renovation work.

However, the construction of the new bridge in the northern part of Industriestrasse Mitte will also be complex, as three old bridges will be demolished and two new bridges will be built, as well as a new retaining wall.

But until the planned start of construction, a speed limit of 70 km/h will apply on the 500-meter section between Watenstedt and Hallendorf. The merging lane will start early. No further restrictions are currently planned. Traffic detour are also not planned. However, traffic obstructions are to be expected.