Historic Danube Bridge at Risk as Urgent Repairs Face Delays

A crumbling landmark could paralyze a region. With funding secured but no tender issued, will officials save the Danube Bridge before it’s too late?

, and Administrator

2025 November 27 . 1:06 AM

1 min read

In the picture we can see some trees and near the historical construction with a bridge.

Historic Danube Bridge at Risk as Urgent Repairs Face Delays

The 130-year-old Danube Bridge connecting Krems and Mautern is in such poor condition that its safety can no longer be guaranteed. Officials warn that without urgent action, a full closure would severely disrupt viticulture, tourism, and the local economy. Plans for a €145 million overhaul are now underway, but delays in funding and construction threaten to derail the project's timeline.

Earlier this year, Lower Austria's governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP) and deputy governor Udo Landbauer (FPÖ) announced a temporary replacement bridge to keep traffic flowing during repairs. However, no tender for this temporary structure has been issued yet, despite earlier promises. Christoph Müller (Neos) has raised concerns that the bridge may not be ready in time, as its construction is expected to take around 14 months.

The future of the Danube Bridge now hangs in the balance. The temporary crossing must be built on time to avoid economic fallout for the region. With funding in place but tenders still pending, officials face pressure to prevent further delays.