Salt Lake Valley's North Bridge Opens on August 1st
After nearly four years of construction, the Salzbachtal Bridge near Wiesbaden is set to reopen on August 1, 2025. This vital link in the Rhine-Main traffic system, connecting Wiesbaden with Frankfurt, the airport, the Main-Taunus district, and other urban centres, will once again serve as a key transport artery for the region and for the European space.
The direct replacement construction of the Salzbachtal Bridge took place between January 2022 and mid-2025, with an investment of approximately 225 million euros. The opening of the bridge will significantly relieve traffic on the A66, one of the most heavily used motorways in Hesse.
The new Salzbachtal Bridge consists of two parts: the North bridge and the South bridge. The South bridge was assembled in four stages between September 2022 and April 2023, while the North bridge will be opened with complete six-lane traffic (three lanes plus an emergency lane in each direction) on August 1, 2025. The southern section of the Salzbachtal Bridge was opened to traffic in 2023, but until August 1, 2025, only two narrowed lanes were available in each direction, causing congestion, slow traffic flow, and an increased number of accidents.
The old Salzbachtal Bridge was closed in 2021 due to its deteriorated condition, and controlled demolition occurred in November 2021. The expansion of the A66 at this location will continue, with the new partial bridges prepared for a later six-lane expansion, including modern noise protection measures.
The full opening of the A66 near Wiesbaden, including the Salzbachtal Bridge, is expected on August 1, 2025. This marks the full completion of the bridge with both the north and south parts ready, allowing cars to cross the new structure again. Tens of thousands of vehicles use this section daily, including a large number of trucks, making it an essential route for the logistics industry.
The final traffic release is planned for the evening of August 1st, deliberately chosen to keep disruptions to a minimum during the Hessian summer holidays. The Salzbachtal Bridge is not just a critical lifeline in the Rhine-Main traffic system; it is also a connecting element for people and the economy in the region and in the European space. The reopening of the Salzbachtal Bridge will undoubtedly bring relief to commuters and businesses alike, as well as contribute to the smooth flow of traffic in the region.
The significant investment of approximately 225 million euros in the direct replacement construction of the Salzbachtal Bridge will not only serve as a key transport artery for the region and European space but also benefit the logistics industry by providing an essential route for tens of thousands of vehicles, including a large number of trucks.
The reopening of the Salzbachtal Bridge, set for August 1, 2025, will not only alleviate congestion, slow traffic flow, and increased number of accidents due to the limited capacity of the southern section but also contribute to the smooth flow of finance in the region, as the A66 is one of the most heavily used motorways in Hesse.
