Saaletalbrücke, Saxony-Anhalt's highest road bridge, to open by end of 2026

A new bridge over the Saale valley

The Saaletalbrücke near Bad Kösen, spanning the Saale river valley, is set to become the highest road bridge in Saxony-Anhalt. Construction began in March 2022 and is now in its final phase, with the opening planned for the end of 2026. The bridge will carry traffic across the state border between Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, linking Bad Kösen in the Burgenlandkreis with Großheringen in the Weimarer Land. With a length of 1,226 metres and a height reaching 60 metres, it is also one of the longest road bridges in the state. The structure consists of 15 fields supported by 14 pillars, making it a prominent addition to the region's infrastructure.

Construction and technical details

The project, costing around 72 million euros, involved complex engineering. The two double pillars adjacent to the Saale were built using free cantilevering, and the superstructure segments were then connected via a so-called hybrid coupling with the pushed-in sections. This method allowed the bridge to be assembled without extensive scaffolding in the valley. Later, the road surface was applied, along with wind protection walls and bat overflight aids. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Infrastructure and Digital Affairs of Saxony-Anhalt described the progress:

Since March 2022, pillars have been set, the superstructure connected, and the roadway and wind protection walls built.

The bridge's height of up to 60 metres makes it the highest road bridge in Saxony-Anhalt, surpassing previous records. Its length of 1,226 metres places it among the longest in the state as well.

Environmental considerations

The inclusion of bat overflight aids (Fledermaus-Überflughilfen) reflects measures to mitigate the bridge's impact on local wildlife. These structures help bats navigate safely over the roadway, reducing collision risks. Such features are increasingly common in German infrastructure projects, aligning with environmental regulations. The wind protection walls also serve to reduce noise and improve safety for vehicles.

Regional connectivity

Once open, the Saaletalbrücke will improve road connections between southern Saxony-Anhalt and northern Thuringia. It replaces an older, less capable crossing and is expected to ease traffic flow in the area. The bridge is part of a broader effort to modernise transport links in the region, with the total investment of 72 million euros.

What comes next

With the main construction work completed, final inspections and safety tests are underway. The exact opening date has not been announced, but officials confirm it will be before the end of 2026. The bridge will then be handed over to traffic, marking the culmination of a four-year project that began in March 2022.