Renovated bridge in Schleiden ensures a safe route to school for students!

Renovated bridge in Schleiden ensures a safe route to school for students!

There is reason to be happy in the city of Schleiden: the renovated pedestrian bridge on Sturmiusstrasse has been put back into operation. This bridge is not just a technical structure, but also connects the districts of Auel and Mühlenberg and plays a central role for the residents and students who regularly commute to the Schleiden school center. The gradual reconstruction of this important connection began after the devastating flood disaster in July 2021, in which the bridge was significantly damaged. Parts of the railing and the bridge body had to be replaced.

Again Cologne City Gazette reported that 264,000 euros were budgeted for the repair of Sturmiusstrasse. The actual construction work took around four weeks. The bridge is now accessible to pedestrians again, making the route to the school complex safer.

Preparation for reconstruction

The renovation work is part of a larger plan that was launched after the flood disaster. On February 23, 2023, the city council approved the reconstruction plan under the leadership of Marcel Wolter and received the necessary approval from the Cologne district government in July 2023. Minister Ina Scharrenbach presented an approval notice for 203 million euros in the Schleiden town hall. This amount has now been increased to a total funding of 227 million euros Schleiden city portal shows.

One of the challenges facing the city is the renewal of another bridge on Arenbergstrasse. This has not yet been addressed because it was being examined whether a second access route for emergency services to the school center could be created. However, the considerations were rejected because the local roads are not suitable for larger vehicles and the costs would have been too high for the city.

Sustainable reconstruction as an opportunity

To ensure that reconstruction is in line with the principles of sustainability, the practical guide “After the flood disaster: opportunity for change” supports the communities in North Rhine-Westphalia and the Ahr Valley. The recommendations are based on scientific findings and experience reports, such as German Institute for Urban Studies (Difu) explained. The aim is not only to repair the infrastructure during reconstruction, but also to create more resilient and climate-adapted structures. The city of Schleiden has the opportunity to strive for a long-term solution through forward-looking planning and modern construction methods.

Conclusion: The reconstruction in Schleiden will not only strengthen the infrastructure, but also set an example for other affected communities - the bridge on Sturmiusstraße is the beginning of a new chapter in the city's history.