On Monday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz officially inaugurated a newly constructed bridge along a crucial north-south motorway corridor that had been unexpectedly closed for four years over structural collapse risks.
Bridge Reopening Ceremony
The inaugural segment of the Rahmedetal Bridge, located on the A45 motorway in western Germany's Sauerland area, was formally opened by Chancellor Merz alongside Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
"From a transport policy perspective, however, we are only talking about four years," stated the chancellor, noting that typical construction timelines for such infrastructure projects usually span eight to ten years.
Impact of the Closure
The sudden shutdown of the Rahmedetal Bridge four years ago, prompted by imminent collapse dangers, delivered a severe blow to the Sauerland region. The A45 serves as the sole north-south link connecting this area with the Ruhr district and Hesse.
Business associations reported that the four-year closure severely disrupted supply chains, with numerous companies experiencing sales declines in the double digits.
