The new Göta älvbron (bridge) will be delayed. Politicians and the maritime industry have not been able to agree on the height of the bridge.
Local government commissioner Thomas Martinsson from the Greens says the maximum height of the bridge should be ten meters. The maritime industry wants nothing shorter than 13 meters.
The current Göta älvbron, which must be replaced before 2020, is 19.5 meters tall. Many people see it as a barrier for cycling and walking. Thomas Martinsson who works with disability issues also points out that the bridge should be accessible for people in wheelchairs.
The Town Building Office is working according to a proposal of a 13 meter-high bridge. But the maritime industry and Region Värmland thinks this borders on being too low. They would prefer a bridge of similar height to the current.
Thomas Martinsson thinks there should be a timetable for bridge openings, which the maritime traffic should follow. Currently the bridge opens at all times of the day, every time a boat arrives.
"Gothenburg should be an open and accessible city. We should not build new environments that do not live up to the demands on accessibility."
Jonas Ransgård, group leader of the Moderats in Gothenburg and local government commissioner, is hesitant to a ten meter bridge.
"It's important to compromise so that it works for as many people as possible. With a ten meter bridge, we would have many bridge openings, even for leisure boats."
