Salzbachtal Bridge on A66 Fully Reopens August 1, 2025
The long-awaited reopening of the Salzbachtal Bridge on the A66 is set for August 1, 2025. The bridge, a vital link in the Rhine-Main transport network, has been closed since 2021 due to its deteriorating condition. Its demolition followed shortly after, in November of the same year.
The construction of the new bridge began in 2017 and is expected to take approximately 6.5 years in total, including preparations. The project is a collaborative effort involving various parties, including project planners and the government, although specific details about the financing entities are not available.
The total investment volume for the project is approximately €225 million. The south bridge opened in 2023, but with only two narrowed lanes per direction, causing traffic bottlenecks and increased accident risk. The north bridge, set to open on August 1, 2025, will restore the full six-lane capacity (three lanes plus hard shoulder per direction), significantly easing traffic on the A66.
The Salzbachtal Bridge connects the Rheingau region, Wiesbaden, and the Frankfurt metropolitan area. The A66, one of Hesse’s busiest highways, serves as a key east-west axis for the logistics industry, linking Wiesbaden with Frankfurt, the airport, and other major economic centers. The direct replacement construction took nearly 3.5 years, from January 2022 to mid-2025.
The full reopening of the Salzbachtal Bridge on August 1, 2025, will be a significant relief for commuters and the logistics industry, restoring smooth traffic flow on the A66. The new bridge sections have been designed to accommodate a future six-lane upgrade with modern noise protection measures, ensuring it remains a reliable and safe lifeline in the Rhine-Main transport network for years to come.
