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Comment Re: We are also paying the Germans 1.2 billion (Score 1) 136

"For example in a few years Germany will probably have high taxes for the owner of a gasoline car,"

Too late, they already do.
Below a few US models and what they would cost in Germany:

US CARS - ANNUAL GERMAN VEHICLE TAX

Large SUVs/Trucks:

Cadillac Escalade (6.2L) - 393 g/km: €1,167
Ford Expedition (3.5L) - ~360 g/km: €1,040
Chevrolet Tahoe (5.3L) - ~355 g/km: €1,014
GMC Yukon (6.2L) - ~380 g/km: €1,128
Ford Super Duty (6.7L diesel) - ~385 g/km: €1,144
Dodge Durango SRT (6.4L) - ~385 g/km: €1,144

Full-Size Pickups:

Ford F-150 (5.0L) - ~270 g/km: €625
Chevrolet Silverado (5.3L) - ~280 g/km: €791
Dodge RAM (5.7L) - ~272 g/km: €648
GMC Sierra (5.3L) - ~275 g/km: €756

Performance/Muscle:

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (5.5L V8) - ~320 g/km: €840
Dodge Charger R/T (5.7L V8) - ~212 g/km: €291
Chevrolet Camaro SS (6.2L) - ~335 g/km: €945
Ford Mustang GT (5.0L) - ~290 g/km: €880

Electric US Cars:

Ford F-150 Lightning: €0 (tax-exempt until 2030)
Cadillac Lyriq EV: €0 (tax-exempt until 2030)
Chevy Blazer EV: €0 (tax-exempt until 2030)

Comment Standard practice for a while now (Score 4, Informative) 20

Yes, this has been standard practice for a while now, especially for rail and highway bridges over busy routes, not really a novelty anymore despite the press coverage.

How it works
The new bridge is fully built off-site, nearby, then moved into place using self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs), hydraulically steered multi-axle platforms, often within a single night closure. This cuts actual line closure from months down to a weekend or one night, since construction happens in parallel with ongoing traffic.

Why it's become standard

Far less traffic disruption than build-in-place
Better quality control off-site
Cheaper overall despite transport logistics, since closure costs (detours, lost economic activity, rail replacement buses) are usually the biggest expense

Regional examples
Germany's done this repeatedly on A1, A7, and other busy motorways as part of its bridge modernization program. Luxembourg/France/Belgium border regions have seen comparable push-in or slide-in operations for motorway or rail bridges. It's become the preferred method Europe-wide for major infrastructure when space allows.

What's actually notable about the Sternbrücke
Not the method, the scale: 3,700 tons over 500 meters is near the upper limit of what's been moved this way, likely one of the heaviest/longest such transports in Germany. The "spectacular" framing is about weight and distance, not novelty of technique.

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