Suspended Over the Reuss: The Pragmatic Elevation of a Historic Bridge

Switzerland is famous for its picturesque wooden bridges, but the real workhorses of the nation's infrastructure are often less glamorous steel structures. The Reussbrücke in Mellingen is one such utilitarian veteran. Built in 1928, it has spent nearly a century absorbing the punishment of heavy traffic. Now, it is receiving a rather dramatic facelift, requiring the entire 350-ton structure to be hoisted 2.6 meters into the air.

Early July saw the bridge elevated centimetre by centimetre using four hydraulic presses and stacking towers. It now rests patiently on a temporary steel frame. This vertical displacement is not a permanent architectural statement, but a logistical necessity. Decades of cars and lorries have left the concrete in poor condition, and the steel beams are rusting. To sandblast and replace the failing corrosion protection without contaminating the Reuss river below, engineers must encapsulate the bridge in an airtight tent. A protective net has already been installed beneath the span to catch any falling debris.

A river crossing has existed at this narrow point in the canton of Aargau since roughly 1250, originally as a wooden construction before the demands of twentieth-century mobility necessitated the current steel iteration. Until recently, the bridge groaned under the weight of 15,000 vehicles daily. The opening of the Mellingen bypass in 2022 fortunately stripped the crossing of its primary arterial role. Closing the bridge for extended renovations therefore poses little disruption to the regional economy. Pedestrians and cyclists dismounting their bikes can simply detour via the adjacent Städtlisteg.

The temporary elevation also addresses a pressing hydrological reality. The Reuss narrows sharply at Mellingen, turning high water events into a serious threat to the infrastructure. Christian Birchmeier, the cantonal project manager for bridge construction, stated that during a 30-year flood, the lower part of the bridge is submerged in water. Simply returning the bridge to its original position would invite future disaster.

The overhaul is a methodical, multi-year affair. By August 2026, the existing deck will be sliced into pieces and removed. Once the steel framework is entirely stripped and repainted within its protective enclosure, the bridge will be lowered in the spring of 2027. However, it will not return to its original elevation. Based on cantonal simulations, the structure will be permanently fixed 40 centimetres higher than before. This modest adjustment ensures the crossing remains harmonious with the old town and its historic gate, while offering sufficient clearance for future torrents. A new concrete deck will complete the project by the summer of 2027, proving that even aging infrastructure can be adapted to survive another century.

Written by Martina Kirchner martina.kirchner@alpineweekly.com