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Hessen Mobil sets an important milestone for a central transport axis in the Odenwald
At the end of the year, Hessen Mobil officially commissioned the construction of the new Zeller Valley Bridge on the B 45 federal highway. On December 22, 2025, the contract was awarded to the joint venture of Eiffage Infra-Süd and Eiffage Infra-West. This marks a crucial step towards restoring one of the most important traffic connections in the Odenwald region.
The B 45 is considered an indispensable lifeline for the region. It connects residential areas, workplaces, and business locations and is of central importance for school, commuter, and freight traffic. With the contract now awarded, the construction of the new bridge is expected to proceed quickly.
Awarding the contract before the end of the year will accelerate the process
According to Hessen Mobil, the contract was awarded before the regular bidding deadline at the beginning of January, thus saving time. The state thanked the participating municipalities, the Odenwald district, and all involved specialist authorities for their close cooperation. The goal remains to maintain the rapid pace of work and to keep the public transparently informed about all further steps.
Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2026
Following the awarding of the contract, the commissioned construction company is now finalizing the plans for the new structure. Simultaneously, necessary coordination and approval processes are taking place, including within a specially established project task force. Provided all steps proceed according to plan, preparatory construction work is scheduled to begin in spring 2026. The construction of the new valley bridge is currently expected to take approximately one year.
Background: Closure due to damage to the existing bridge
The Zeller Valley Bridge was closed at the end of April 2025 after intensive inspections revealed cracks in the concrete. The structure carries both the Odenwald Railway and the Mümling River. For safety reasons, all traffic was suspended. Since then, an inter-agency task force has been working on the fastest possible replacement construction.
Current information available digitally
Hessen Mobil has been providing updates on the project's progress via a WhatsApp channel since May 2025. Additional information is also available on the project page and on the Hessen Mobil website.
(PM/RED)
