Bridge at Damaschkeplatz: Demolition takes place, what now for Magdeburg?

Bridge at Damaschkeplatz: Demolition takes place, what now for Magdeburg?

The city of Magdeburg is currently faced with a massive infrastructural problem. The ring bridge over Damaschkeplatz was demolished due to significant damage after numerous cracks in the tendons were discovered during a special inspection in spring 2025. Experts assessed the condition of the bridge as critical and repairs were no longer possible. Demolition began on June 16 and is scheduled to be completed by June 28, 2025, as MDR reported.

What are the next steps? In order to maintain traffic flow, the city is planning to build a temporary bridge, which is scheduled to be erected as early as June 2025. This will be placed on the adapted substructure of the demolished bridge and will have a width of 3.50 meters and a total length of around 70 meters. On June 19th, the city council will decide on the award of the temporary bridge. Preparations for construction will begin on June 23rd, so that the temporary bridge should be accessible in one lane in both directions from the beginning of August 2025.

Costs and traffic adjustments

A look at the finances: The demolition costs for the dilapidated bridge amount to around 564,000 euros. The city is expecting at least ten million euros for the new building. In total, between 100 and 150 million euros could be needed to replace additional bridges in the region, which points to the large bridge renovation backlog in Germany. According to an evaluation by T Online Around 16,000 federally owned bridges are in disrepair, with an estimated investment requirement of up to 100 billion euros for replacement construction.

There are current diversions for motorists via Autobahn 14, while cyclists and pedestrians can use alternative routes via the bridge in the Glacis facilities or Albert-Vater-Straße. In addition, five Magdeburger Verkehrsbetriebe (MVB) tram lines have been rerouted, which has led to an increase in passenger numbers.

The view of other bridges

However, the problem of dilapidated bridges is not only limited to Magdeburg. Many bridges throughout Germany are in poor condition. A partial collapse of Dresden's Carola Bridge recently drew attention to this problem. Experts like bridge expert Martin Mertens are calling for comprehensive investments in infrastructure, as many bridges, especially those built before 1980, are considered so-called “problem patients”. The German Association of Cities and Municipalities is calling for an “infrastructure investment offensive”, as municipalities often lack the money for necessary renovations daily news is reported.

The Carola Bridge, which should also be renovated next year, has shown how urgently investments are needed. While Department of Transportation officials argue against the figure of 16,000 dilapidated bridges, the reality on the ground is often different. The infrastructure is aging and desperately needs a refresh to remain safe and functional.

Overall, cities face the challenge of addressing these infrastructure issues and finding solutions to ensure the safety of all road users.