In Moselle, the bridge located on the D60 between Richemont and Guénange is closed until further notice. A hole was discovered in the road. An old, empty mine cache dating back to the post-war period has collapsed. An astonishing discovery which will disrupt the daily lives of 20,000 motorists for several weeks.
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It is a bridge well known to truck drivers, motorists and especially cross-border commuters. Every day, 20,000 people use the structure, located on the D60, between Richemont and Guénange (Moselle). Issue : a 90 cm hole was formed in the middle of the bridge. The road has even subsided by around ten centimeters, revealing its ironwork and the Moselle which flows peacefully below. The structure is badly damaged. “It's a lot of detours, it's very complicated” tells this resident of Uckange, on the microphone of France 3 Lorraine, “there are always people“.
The only thing we know is that it would be a trap… It was intended to deposit mines after the war in the event of conflict. She collapsed
Jean-Claude Queuniez, mayor of Richemont
Even though it was subject to increased and annual surveillance by the owner, the Moselle department, it was a motorist who discovered the hole. Put into operation in the 1950s, the metal structure presented infiltration, oxidation and corrosion defects. “The only thing we know is that it would be a trap” says Jean-Claude Queuniez, the mayor of Richemont, “it was intended to deposit mines there after the war in the event of conflict. She collapsed“.
Investigations are underway to “determine the extent of the damage and study the different possible repair solutions as quickly as possible” explains the department.
During peak hours, significant slowdowns and traffic jams are expected. The road bridge is closed until further notice.
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