Wiesbaden
Salzbachtal bridge A66
Wiesbaden, Germany / 02.2019 - 06.2025
Between the Taunus and the Rhine, the 304-metre-long Salzbachtal Bridge spans the Salzbach valley along the route of the A66 motorway. The route connects Wiesbaden with Frankfurt am Main via the Rhine-Main region and forms an important part of the regional transport infrastructure. After decades of use, the existing structure was replaced by a new bridge. The PORR / Plauen Stahl Technologie GmbH (PST) consortium was commissioned to carry out the new construction. The project comprises two new steel-concrete composite bridges with six reinforced concrete piers and four abutments, as well as a further reinforced concrete bridge over the single-track Aartalbahn railway line. The foundation works were carried out by PORR special civil engineering. The new bridge structures have already been designed to meet the requirements of a planned future six-lane expansion of the A66. In addition, three stormwater retention basins are being constructed as part of the new drainage system.
Facts & Figures
Company
consortium PORR / Plauen Stahl Technologie GmbH (PST)
Type
Bridge construction
Runtime
02.2019 - 06.2025
From the demolition to the construction of a new valley crossing
Construction of a new bridge complex over the Salzbachtal
The project comprised two new steel-concrete composite bridges with a total length of 304 m, six reinforced concrete piers and four abutments. In addition, a further reinforced concrete bridge was constructed over the single-track Aartalbahn railway line. Furthermore, three stormwater retention basins were built as part of the drainage infrastructure. The new bridges have already been designed to accommodate the planned future route of the A66.
Dismantling of the existing bridge and preparation of the construction site
Following the collapse of a section of the bridge in June 2021, the existing bridge was dismantled. This was followed by the clearance of the construction site as well as the preparation of the areas for the new construction. In doing so, the adjacent transport routes, railway infrastructure and technical facilities had to be taken into account in the construction processes. Just a few weeks later, work began on the foundations, abutments and piers of the new bridge.
A total of 186 bored piles, with diameters of 120 cm and 150 cm as well as depths of up to 48 m, were used for the foundations.
Composite steel bridge over the Salzbachtal
The replacement bridge consisted of two separate structures for the respective directions of travel. The steel structure was fabricated in sections and moved into its final position in a series of stages. The very first steel section was around 100 m long and weighed approximately 940 t. Further bridge sections followed in stages until the bridge was fully spanned. At the same time, terrain modelling, drainage systems and other infrastructure measures were carried out in the vicinity of the bridge.
Building between the motorway, railway and city
The works took place in the immediate vicinity of the motorway, railway line and urban infrastructure. In addition to the bridges, the construction processes had to be co-ordinated with works on railway facilities, transport routes and drainage systems.
Piers, superstructures, foundations and rainwater retention basins were constructed in several successive construction phases within the Salzbachtal valley.
Foundation for the future route of the A66
The replacement bridge has created a new bridge structure on the A66 between Wiesbaden and the Rhine-Main region. The project comprises bridge construction, special civil engineering, drainage systems and associated infrastructure on a single construction site. It establishes the structural foundations for the future route alignment in this section and supports the long-term development of transport infrastructure in the Salzbach Valley.
