The railway closure allows for an earlier start to the work
The city of Darmstadt, known for its scientific institutions, is pushing ahead with plans for the construction of a new Rhine road bridge. According to the city, demolition of the existing bridge could begin as early as 2027.
Rail closure as a crucial step
The Federal Ministry of Transport has pledged to temporarily suspend rail traffic under the bridge in December 2027. This timeframe allows demolition work to begin earlier than originally planned.
Mobility officer Paul Georg Wandrey considers the decision an important step forward. Originally, the demolition was not scheduled until 2028, as no closures had been approved before then.
Demolition takes approximately three months
The dismantling of the existing bridge is scheduled to take approximately three months. This includes about six weeks of preparation, the closure period from December 12th to 31st, 2027, and several weeks of follow-up work.
During the demolition, historical building components dating from 1910 to 1912 are to be salvaged and reused in the new building. However, for safety reasons, not all elements can be preserved.
New timetable for the new building
The updated plan calls for the deep foundation work to begin in the first quarter of 2029. The superstructures are then to be installed gradually over the course of the year.
The new bridge is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2030, with full commissioning no later than the beginning of 2031.
Important infrastructure project
The construction of the new Rhine road bridge is one of the city's key infrastructure projects. After a planning halt in 2023, the project was further developed based on new concepts.
The planned steel arch bridge will span the railway area without supports, thus reducing the impact on rail traffic.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/stip)
