Traffic restrictions extended on bridge in Säynätsalo, Jyväskylä

Traffic restrictions on the bridge in Säynätsalo, Jyväskylä, will be extended at least into next year, according to city street chief Tuula Smolander. Experts are currently analyzing the structure of the bridge, a process that is expected to take some time, Smolander stated.

Cars were allowed to cross the Louhunsalmi Bridge individually on Monday following the breakage of a tensioning cable over the weekend. This arrangement is likely to remain in place for several weeks. Although Smolander assured there is no risk of collapse, the bridge may need to be shut completely if winds increase significantly.

Heavy vehicles remain restricted from using the bridge, and pedestrian traffic has been banned, although emergency vehicles can still access it when necessary. Snow clearing for Lehtisaari and Muuratsalo is being organized by sending one snowplow across the bridge at a time. Waste management and school transport will also be handled with temporary solutions.

On Monday afternoon, traffic backed up for at least 800 meters as residents returned home from work. The Autoliitto, which is monitoring traffic arrangements around the clock at the site, is urging patience from drivers, as some attempted to bypass waiting lines.

Smolander noted that no issues were found during annual inspections of the bridge. The cause of the cable break remains unidentified, but it’s possible that a structural flaw may have been present in the hidden cable. She mentioned that such an incident is unprecedented in Finland, and investigations by external engineering consultants are underway. Video footage shows the single-file traffic crossing the bridge.