The 112-year-old Lorzentobel Bridge is to be renovated

The Lorzentobel Bridge has been standing since 1910. The time-honoured bridge will now be renovated from 15 March. The work will last until about the end of August 2024 and the bridge will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists until mid-July 2024.

The Canton of Zug is responsible for the preservation of the 112-year-old natural stone arch bridge over the Lorzentobel, which links Zug and Baar to Menzingen and the Aegeri valley.. The arched viaduct is also listed in the Federal Inventory of Historic Transport Routes in Switzerland (IVS) as an “object worthy of protection”, and is still used today by cyclists and pedestrians. As the Canton of Zug writes in a recent statement, the 112-year-old bridge also serves as a access point for the adjacent forest areas.

The renovation will ensure that the bridge can continue to be used for the next 75 years with little maintenance, taking into account the rules regarding the preservation of historical monuments. At the same time, the existing suicide protection measures will be improved. Any surface water will be collected and fed into the river Lorze via an existing spillway.

The old Lorzentobel bridge will be renovated from 15 March         Picture: PD

The federal government will contribute to the costs
The credit approved by the cantonal council amounts to CHF 5.27 million. According to the press release, the Federal Roads Office (Astra) will contribute a maximum of CHF 1.035 million, as the structure is listed in the federal inventory. The renovation work will start on 15 March 2023 and last until around the end of August 2024. The bridge will thereby be closed to pedestrians and cyclists from the start of the renovation work until probably mid-July 2024. The cycle path in the Lorzentobel, along the Lorze, will remain open for the entire duration of the construction work.