New construction of the tarpaulin bridge: Starts on July 24th - traffic chaos is imminent!

New construction of the tarpaulin bridge: Starts on July 24th - traffic chaos is imminent!

The tarpaulin bridge in Brandenburg will now be finally replaced from July 24, 2025. The city administration decided on this step after a detailed review of the structure. As the City of Brandenburg reported, the current condition of the bridge shows significant damage from corrosion and weathering, which resulted in an unreasonable load limit of only 12 tons. This makes replacement essential, as previous repairs were only a temporary solution.

The tarpaulin bridge was originally built in 1983, at that time it was designed for a maximum tonnage of 16 tons. However, a major inspection over the course of last year showed that the condition of the bridge was classified as unsatisfactory with a grade of 4.0. The last comprehensive review took place in October 2024, and the city council discussed immediate upgrades. The trend is clear: sooner or later there could have been a risk of the permissible load being reduced to 6 tonnes in each direction if the situation was not remedied.

Concrete construction plans and detours

The renewal not only includes replacing the affected parts, but also adapting the infrastructure. The bridge will have a “jaw profile” for better water drainage and will be designed with a total length of 53 meters. In addition, a 1.50 meter sidewalk will be built on the south side and a cycle lane will be marked for cyclists traveling out of town. This not only improves road safety, but is also intended to increase the attractiveness for pedestrians and cyclists.

During the construction period, which is scheduled to last until the 2025 summer holidays, the tarpaulin bridge will be completely closed. The full closure is planned from July 24th to September 26th, 2025. Detours are essential for vehicle traffic as well as pedestrians and cyclists. Motorists from the direction of Wilhelmsdorf must navigate a number of paths, including Am Rehhagen and Buchenweg, to avoid the closure. Public transport will also be faced with changes to its route during this time, which poses a challenge for residents.

What happens until completion?

Preparations for the renewal of the bridge are already underway. In addition to the construction work, the city will examine alternative solutions for the time until the new tarpaulin bridge is put into operation. A temporary bridge north of the old bridge, or even a bridge on top of the existing structure, could be possible options. Piping the tarpaulin is also being considered in order to maintain traffic as much as possible until the new bridge can begin service.

External experts have confirmed that proper corrosion protection for steel structures, as must also be implemented in the tarpaulin bridge facility, is of considerable importance. Solid corrosion protection is not only required during construction, but is also important for future maintenance. As the Bast As explained, high-quality materials and correctly implemented protective measures can significantly extend the lifespan of a bridge.

In conclusion, it can be said that the renewal of the tarpaulin bridge is an important step for traffic safety and relieving the burden on residents. In the long term, the upcoming work could contribute to improving the infrastructure in Brandenburg while at the same time meeting the increased requirements for safety and sustainability. The city administration will do everything in its power to implement the measure quickly and efficiently.