A14 traffic rerouted onto temporary Mulde bridge as demolition of 1970s structure begins near Grimma

Traffic switch completed

All four lanes of A14 traffic began rolling over a new temporary bridge across the Mulde river at Grimma on Monday, according to the Deges motorway construction company. Lanes are narrowed to construction-site width while the diversion remains in place. The switch is the prerequisite for demolishing the original Mulde bridge, which dates from the early 1970s and has been heavily damaged by increasing traffic volumes, particularly heavy goods vehicles, and by flooding.

Demolition and new build timeline

Demolition of the old bridge is set to begin shortly. Once the structure is removed, Deges will construct a second new bridge half. The complete new Mulde bridge is currently scheduled for completion between late 2028 and early 2029. Total costs are approximately 80 million euros, borne by the federal government.

Separate overpass demolition finishes early

In a related operation, demolition of a damaged overpass crossing the A14 between Grottewitz and Würschwitz progressed faster than planned. The Autobahn GmbH des Bundes said the full motorway closure in place since Friday evening could be lifted as early as Sunday, rather than the originally planned Monday morning. A special inspection had revealed the overpass, designated "21Ü2", to be in critical condition. Removal cost roughly 700,000 euros. A replacement overpass is to be built by 2028 at a cost of around three million euros.

Hennigsdorf steel under watch

Ten further bridges along the A14 between Leipzig and Nossen remain under special observation. Built between 1969 and 1972, they contain Hennigsdorf prestressing steel, the same material implicated in the collapse of the Carola Bridge in Dresden. The structures are being monitored so that any deterioration is detected quickly.