The controversial full closure of the Saale at Bad Kösen is to be temporarily lifted for the peak tourist season, according to the State Administration Office. According to the office, the full closure of the Saale will initially be lifted from August 16 in the afternoon until August 18 in the evening. A continuous opening is then to be implemented from 23 August to 20 October 2024. The Saale will then be closed out of season in order to continue the necessary restoration measures. A reopening is then planned for spring 2025.
On Monday, Deutsche Bahn requested the suspension of the Saale closure following a consultation with all parties involved. "I am grateful to everyone involved for their very constructive cooperation and to the water police for their swiftly prepared statement. As a result, we were finally able to issue the corresponding order to temporarily lift the closure today," said the President of the State Office of Administration, Thomas Pleye.
Adjustments for safety on the Saale
According to the construction companies responsible, work on the bridges will continue during the suspension of the full closure - albeit with technical changes and adjustments. For example, the necessary equipment, such as the floating platforms to be used, will be moored downstream on the riverbank to ensure unrestricted safe navigation of the Saale.
Die Deutsche Bahn plans to repair three bridges over the river in the Bad Kösen area by the end of May 2025. A full closure of the river for around 10.5 kilometers was originally approved for this - but there was opposition from the tourist sector and calls for alternative solutions.
Copyright 2024, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reserved
