Construction site bridge on the A1 – More time for adjustments: Astra-Bridge will not be back until 2024 – News

The mobile construction site bridge on the A1 near Solothurn caused more traffic jams instead of fewer. Now it will be adjusted.

It first caused a stir, but then became a major annoyance for many drivers: the so-called Astra Bridge on the A1 motorway, which was used between April and June 2022 between Luterbach and Recherswil near Solothurn. The road under the expensive mobile construction site bridge was renovated, and traffic rolled over it.

Thanks to the 20 million Swiss franc system, there should be less traffic jams in the construction area, so the hope of the Federal Roads Office (Astra). But the opposite happened. Because many drivers felt unsafe, they drove over the bridge more slowly than the Astra had assumed. Criticism also came from truck drivers. They complained about severe impacts when they drove on the ramps at the planned 60 kilometers per hour. The ramps were too steep.

The bridge was dismantled in June 2022 – two months earlier than planned. The mobile bridge works as a concept, but adjustments are needed, according to Astra. These adjustments now need more time, so that the Astra Bridge should not be used again until 2024 and not 2023 as previously communicated.

60 km/h also for trucks

The Astra reports that specialists have analyzed the operation. Experts in driving dynamics and traffic psychology, the Federal Materials Testing and Research Institute Empa and the commercial vehicle association Astag were interviewed.

Legend:

Above the traffic, below the construction work: According to the Astra, this concept worked in principle.

SRF

In order to improve the flow of traffic over the bridge, the entrance and exit ramps will be adjusted. The ramps are lengthened, reducing the incline. This optimization has been tested, says Samuel Hool from the Astra. All vehicles – including trucks and lowered cars – could have driven on the Astra Bridge at 60 kilometers per hour without restrictions. These adjustments cost 4.7 million francs.

Do not rush

Now the adaptation of the mobile bridge is planned and then executed. This demanding work needs enough time, explains Hool. You don’t want to rush anything. After that, tests and training would be conducted. Supply difficulties for steel and electrical components could cause further delays. That is why the Astra Bridge should not be used again until spring 2024. Only then will the renovation of the A1 motorway near Luterbach continue.