The cruise ship AidaDiva docked at the cruise quay in Visby on Wednesday, and the new Kopparsvik Bridge was used for the first time to guide passengers into the inner city, with hundreds walking across it during the morning. The bridge is described as a new landmark in the form of a lit, rust-red pedestrian bridge between the cruise quay and Kopparsviksgatan, intended to make the walk for boat travelers into Visby traffic-safe. It will also have a viewing platform that both Gotlanders and visitors can use.
Construction of the bridge began almost two years ago, with the goal of it being ready by last summer, but it is not yet completely finished. There is a dispute with the contractor, making it unclear when the new bridge can be finally inspected and fully opened to the general public. Work continues to complete the bridge's various parts, but the Kopparsvik Bridge is not possible to use in its entirety yet and will open to the general public only when the entire bridge is ready.
The viewing platform will be closed for work for some time to come. Kopparsviksgatan will be completed as a separate project, remains closed, and the goal is to asphalt there during the spring. The first cruise travelers began to be guided across the Kopparsvik Bridge when the first ship docked at the cruise quay ahead of the Easter weekend, but cruise travelers walking to and from the quay will be guided into the inner city via the palisades.
The season's first cruise call took place on March 28 at berth 4, meaning passengers reached Visby inner city without passing the bridge.