A100 in Berlin: There is a risk of traffic jams due to bridge damage and single lanes!

A100 in Berlin: There is a risk of traffic jams due to bridge damage and single lanes!

In Berlin, road users have been confronted with significant restrictions on the A100 since November 4, 2025. The bridge over Mecklenburgische Straße in the direction of the Funkturm triangle was only allowed to be used in one lane due to bridge damage. This notice was announced shortly before implementation at 11 a.m. and the reasons given were corrosion damage discovered during routine inspections in September. There is no further sigh of relief in sight for drivers as the duration of the restrictions remains unclear. Information about this will follow next week, it is said.

It becomes particularly uncomfortable when you consider that the Detmolder Straße entrance is closed and the traffic jams in the direction of the radio tower are unavoidable. Ronald Normann, director of Autobahn GmbH, noted that the closed lanes are not sufficient to transfer the load, which appears to increase the possibility of further closures to minimize load. In the long term, one thing is certain: the bridge will have to be demolished and rebuilt within 10 to 20 years.

The challenges of bridge infrastructure

The condition of Berlin's bridges is cause for concern. There are currently 71 bridges in the capital that are in need of renovation or demolition. 57 bridges have a condition rating of 3.0 or worse. The most problematic include the Adlerbrücke (3.7), the Sellerbrücke (3.5) and the Charlottenbrücke (3.4). Given these alarming figures, it becomes clear that around 120 bridges will have to be renovated or rebuilt within the next ten years. The estimated costs for these extensive measures amount to around one billion euros. The Berlin State Audit Office has been warning about the deterioration of the infrastructure since 1999.

Overall, Germany has an impressive transport infrastructure with around 40,300 bridges built between 1960 and 1985 to cope with increasing traffic. The increasing heavy traffic and the increasing age structure of these bridges require comprehensive maintenance and modernization measures. According to the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, a bridge modernization program is being implemented that aims to improve the load-bearing capacity and traffic safety of many older bridges.

Financing and modernization strategies

The modernization strategy includes the creation of a consistent core network of routes, which is to be established within the next ten years. Around 7,000 kilometers and around 10,700 partial bridge structures are expected to benefit from these measures. An important point is that investments are tailored to traffic and economic requirements and that every measure is also financed with building rights. Funds are allocated based on needs, which means that all relevant construction projects can be supported.

The reports of bridge damage are another blow to drivers in Berlin. If the infrastructure is not put into better condition soon, problems on the roads will continue to increase. It remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to the ongoing challenges. Drivers will have to prepare for further disruptions in the coming weeks and hope that the necessary repairs will be carried out quickly.