Graz lifts new pedestrian and cycle bridge into place

Graz has lifted the new Pongratz-Moore foot and cycle bridge into place over the Mur, ORF reported on Monday. Once completed, the bridge will reconnect the districts of Andritz and Gösting, three years after the previous bridge was closed for safety reasons.

The operation marked the start of the final construction phase. A special crane positioned a total of 280 tonnes of steel. The new bridge will be 66 metres long and 4.5 metres wide, compared with just 1.8 metres for the old footbridge.

After the supporting structure is completed, workers will build the northern access ramp and additional footpaths. A drinking fountain will also be installed.

Electricity, water, telephone and gas lines have already been integrated into the bridge foundations. The bridge is expected to reopen by the end of the year as an important route for pedestrians and cyclists in northern Graz.

The project costs 6.5 million euros. The City of Graz is contributing 3.7 million euros, while the utility operators Energie Steiermark, Energie Graz, Citycom and Magenta are covering the remaining 2.8 million euros.

The city said a feasibility study found that building a new bridge was technically, economically and strategically more sensible in the long term than renovating the old one.

The Pongratz-Moore name refers to construction contractor Josef Pongratz and engineer John Moore. Together, they built Graz’s first modern groundwater plant in 1870, establishing the city’s municipal water supply.