New Lech Bridge between Gründl and Lechbruck

The State construction authority Weilheim commissioned the replacement of the existing bridge over the Lech River, connecting the towns of Gründl and Lechbruck, because of heavy scourings at a rock ledge on which the pile was founded. The project of constructing a new bridge over Lech River between Gründl and Lechbruck has now advanced for 17 months. By now the project is almost finalised: Demolition has been completed, the construction containers have almost fully been removed and traffic rolls as usual. Only the areas around the new bridge are still baren – the final landscaping remains to be implemented.

It is particularly striking to see the difference to the old structure: The prominent concrete pile is gone; instead, the new solution relies on a much slenderer construction method. Elegantly curved prefabricated composite girders (VFT), colour-matched to the river, mark the appearance. The structure now harmoniously matches its surroundings and appears lighter and more modern.

Its location also has a long history: At the base of the western abutment the log rafting history of the bridge is told – it was first mentioned in 1316.

In addition to design and implementation, construction execution was particularly challenging: The long steel girders had to be transported to the construction site backwards on the last meters due to a narrow bend at Steingaden – a logistical feat.

On the Gründl side, the foundation for the temporary pile of the makeshift bridge proved to be difficult due to changed subsoil/rock conditions. Moreover, the river’s water level had to be analysed by hydraulic calculations to plan flood protection measures for the bridge construction.