Emile-Béthouart-Steg

The Emile-Béthouart Bridge is a footbridge over the Inn River in Innsbruck. Built in 1875, this listed iron lattice bridge connects St. Nikolaus on the left bank with Saggen on the right bank of the Inn.

In 1836, Johann Nepomuk Mahl-Schedl von Alpenburg, owner of Schloss Büchsenhausen, commissioned a ferry between St. Nikolaus and Saggen. This saved a detour over the Inn Bridge in many cases. The crossing cost one kreuzer. However, the ferry service was often interrupted, in summer by high water and in winter by low water or ice. Therefore, in 1868, the residents of St. Nikolaus expressed their desire for a footbridge, which was rejected by the city magistrate for financial reasons. Subsequently, in 1871, a society was founded under Josef Mayr and Johann Handl that aimed to cover the costs for the construction of a wooden bridge. This was also rejected by the magistrate due to concerns about the "disruption of the idyllic walks in the English park." However, the large citizens' committee favored the construction under certain conditions on February 10, 1871, with 16 votes against 11. The bridge was to be used only by pedestrians and not for livestock or vehicles, and the society was to be responsible for lighting and maintenance, as well as for upkeep for 30 years. After approval from the Office of the Chief Court Marshal in Vienna, construction of a wooden bridge on three pillars began in March 1871.

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