Wiesbaden: Closure of Autobahn Bridge causes disruption

Salzbachtal bridge before complete closure. Photo: Beathag9 / CC

In the Hesse state capital of Wiesbaden, a main autobahn bridge is closed for safety reasons, causing disruptions to rail and road transport in the western parts of Frankfurt agglomeration. The Salzbachtal bridge is a central part of the main link between Frankfurt and Wiesbaden. It crosses a main north-south road to inner Wiesbaden as well as the rail tracks that lead into the terminal station of Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof. All these will now also remain closed for weeks if not months. Find Wiesbaden City’s announcement here (external link, German language).

The bridge opened in 1963 and was about to be replaced. Its southern part was closed in 2019 already, after a faulty repair job. When concrete parts fell off last Friday, the northern part was closed, too.

The affected road and rail infrastructure mainly serves regional traffic; Wiesbaden Hbf sees much regional traffic but few long distance passenger trains and no freight services. However, with commuter traffic re-routed at a large scale, the closure affects all traffic in and across the area between Frankfurt and Mainz.

European Sleeper: Funding for Amsterdam night train secured

The shares for the Dutch start-up “European Sleeper” were reserved within 15 minutes by more than 350 investors from many different countries in Europe and beyond. This has provided European Sleeper with the necessary €500,000 in seed capital to realise the first night train from Amsterdam to Prague together with the Czech private railway operator RegioJet. While “European Sleeper” will market the train and sell the tickets, RegioJet will operate the line with own trains. Find the announcement here (external link).

Rhine: HGK training for shallow water

With low water levels becoming more frequent, Cologne-based barge operator HGK puts additional emphasis on proper navigation training. In shallow waters, barges feel and behave differently, while any error may have serious consequences. Therefore, it has contracted training on Duisburg City’s “SANDRA II”. It is especially designed for simulating shallow waters under realistic conditions, taking into account the properties of individual ships.

HGK, owned by Cologne City’s municipal utility holding, is the largest inland navigation company in Europe. Including subcontractors, it operates about 300 ships. Read the whole news here (external link, German language).