Germany completes fewer motorway bridge renovations than planned

Germany’s federal government is responsible for renewing motorway bridges across the country.

It completed renovations on 157 bridges in 2025, down from 212 in 2024 and far short of its target of 400 a year.

The Transport Ministry says 70 bridge sections were completed in the first half of 2026, with 100 more expected to be finished by year’s end.

That would still fall short of the government’s annual target.

Thousands of motorway bridges need urgent work, and earlier emergency closures have caused serious disruption for people and communities.

Money from a large public investment fund is intended in part for bridge repairs, but the pace remains slow.

The Cabinet has approved a draft law allowing the state-owned Autobahn GmbH to take out private loans, though this alone may not speed up planning, approvals or construction.