Light bridge over the Rhine: Art campaign Fares mobility debate!

Light bridge over the Rhine: Art campaign Fares mobility debate!

Rüdesheim am Rhein, Deutschland - What's going on on the Rhine? A creative light art project could revive the discussion about a crossing of the Rhine between Bingen and Rüdesheim. The plans for a firm connection have failed again and again in recent decades. Reasons such as high construction costs of around 100 million euros and strict nature conservation requirements don't make things easier. Current legal report also certifies that a foot and bike bridge in this UNESCO World Heritage can hardly be approved, which is why the ferry is the only realistic solution, such as Merkurist reported.

A citizen who wants to advance the topic is Bastian Ruhl, an computer science merchant who plans to pave the way for a constructive solution with an art campaign. He sees a promising inspiration in the Kiel model. The fully electric ferry "MS Düsternbrook" has been in use there since 2020, which offers space for up to 140 passengers and 60 bicycles. With a range of 30 km per battery charge, this type of mobility is also considered attractive for Bingen and Rüdesheim. The need is there, not only through commuters, but also through the high tourism volume, especially with a view to the Federal Garden Show 2029.

The "Hildegardsteg" as a new chance

parallel to the light art campaign, the initiators of the working group "Green Welle - Rhine crossing" also set accents. They have been promoting a pedestrian and cyclist bridge between Bingen and Rüdesheim for about a year and are proposing the "Hildegardsteg". This is to be built between the Adlerturm in Rüdesheim and the Binger Hafenbrücke. A big advantage: the planned route is outside the protected nature reserves, which significantly increases the opportunities for approval. This new crossing could offer an attractive opportunity for commuters and gentle tourism, especially with regard to the Federal Garden Show 2029, reports Rheingau.de .

Another plus: The Hildegardsteg could not only improve the flow of traffic, but also serve as a viewing platform that offers a breathtaking panorama on the sights of the region. The majority of the city parliaments in Rüdesheim and Bingen have already spoken out for the project. But to get the plan rolling, political persuasion at the district and state level is still necessary.

a sign of peace

The churches in the region also rely on the Hildegardsteg and want to send a sign of peace. Without the active participation of the citizens, however, there is a political standstill. An online petition to support the initiative is ready and the citizens are called to participate. The project could not only offer traffic voltage, but also contribute to strengthening the community.

Overall, it can be seen that both creative ideas and responsible plans are necessary to manage the challenges of crossing the Rhine between Bingen and Rüdesheim. The light art campaign could be another step in the right direction to combine art, history and modern mobility. A modern water taxi service could bring pedestrians and cyclists across the Rhine in just 3-5 minutes and thus let the region move in.

And who knows, maybe the Hildegardsteg will be the key to a new era of crossing the Rhine and brings a breath of fresh air to the mobility landscape of this beautiful region. Finally, the example shows other bridge projects, such as a new pedestrian and cyclist bridge over the Rhine near Neuchâtel that it is quite feasible to create safe connections, such as Interreg-oberrhein.eu Viewed.