City says plans depart from earlier discussions
An administration document says the state road authority failed to properly identify, assess and weigh the city's interests. Among its complaints, Wismar says the plans omit a replacement for a parking lot that would be lost to construction, contrary to earlier discussions. The proposed intersections at both ends of the bridge and the allocation of costs also differ from what had been discussed.
These are among the objections the council will consider. The state road authority told NDR it would address the criticism only after the submission period closes in late November.
A city notice citing the authority gives November 23, 2026, as the deadline for written objections from anyone whose interests are affected. The planning documents were available for public inspection from September 24 through October 23 as part of the plan approval process.
Who pays remains a point of dispute
The authority's project data list construction costs of 23.2 million euros, an estimate dating to early 2021. They identify Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as responsible for the costs, with the footpath assigned to Wismar.
The precise split was still unresolved in July 2025, when NDR reported uncertainty over who would pay how much of the roughly 23 million euros. Although replacing the bridge is a state responsibility, the authority planned for Wismar to fund the footpath, among other items.
The authority also cited the railway crossing law, the Eisenbahnkreuzungsgesetz. Under that law, Deutsche Bahn must finance parts of the work because the Wismar–Berlin railway line passes beneath the bridge.
Existing bridge has structural limitations
The state road authority says structural deficiencies in the existing prestressed concrete bridge mean it can remain in use only for a limited period. Weight restrictions took effect in 2011, followed by a reduction in the number of lanes in 2012. Even with those measures, the authority currently assumes a remaining service life of less than ten years.
According to Wikipedia, the bridge opened on August 7, 1970, measures 398 meters and was once the longest prestressed concrete bridge in the GDR. It cost 15.3 million GDR marks to build.
Wikipedia also records traffic of about 19,000 vehicles a day in 2012. Since 2015, the bridge's condition has been rated 3.5, or insufficient, on a scale of 1 to 4.
New bridge planned south of the existing structure
The replacement project covers 625 meters, including two bridge structures, according to the authority's project data. It calls for a two-lane bridge with ancillary facilities. Construction is expected to take about three years, but a start date has not been set.
NDR reported that the planning documents place the new bridge a few meters south of the existing one. Once the replacement is finished, the old bridge is to be dismantled piece by piece within 12 months. Demolition by blasting is ruled out because residential buildings are too close.
According to the city, the replacement could be completed between 2033 and 2035.
