Construction Progress on Elsen Bridge in Treptow: Anticipated Completion Date

In the heart of Berlin, several significant bridge construction and renovation projects are currently underway, causing slight disruptions but promising improvements for the city's infrastructure.

The most anticipated of these projects is the rebuilding of the Elsen Bridge, with demolition commencing in 2020. The goal is to complete the new structure by the end of 2029, easing traffic congestion that has been a constant issue since the temporary steel bridge was installed in 2022. However, the timeline for the initial work on the Schönehauser-Allee Bridge in the Pankow district is yet to be finalised, with construction expected to begin by the end of 2025.

Meanwhile, Deutsche Bahn is making use of closure periods to renovate the S-Bahnhof Schönehauser Allee. Passengers will also feel the effects of the Schönehauser-Allee Bridge project, as the Ringbahn will be closed repeatedly for maintenance and renovation work. The tram line on the Schönehauser-Allee Bridge will be interrupted during construction, with a bus ring traffic established instead of the M1.

The Schönehauser-Allee Bridge project is complex and time-consuming due to limited space for construction site facilities and the need to maintain traffic flow during construction. Arne Huhn, the head of bridge construction in the Senate's traffic administration, is overseeing the rebuilding of the Elsen Bridge, one of his projects.

Unforeseen findings during the construction process have included old DDR border posts and sheet pile walls that weren't in the records. In 2018, a crack was discovered in the concrete of the Elsenbrücke, which was up to 1.8 millimeters wide, up to 14 centimeters deep, and 28 meters long. The high temperatures in the summer of 2018 apparently contributed to the sudden collapse of the road bridge.

Elsewhere in the city, the Mühlendamm bridge in Mitte is experiencing issues, with a 4.60-meter-long crack in the concrete discovered in 2021. The Senate administration plans to award the contract for the new half of the Mühlendamm bridge soon, with completion scheduled for 2027.

Rumour has it that the tendering process for the construction of a new pipeline bridge in Prenzlauer Berg did not produce a satisfactory result, and the tender is to be reopened in a modified form. The Schönehauser-Allee Bridge project is expected to cost 50 million euros.

Despite the challenges and disruptions, these projects are essential for Berlin's continued growth and development. The completion of these bridges will not only improve traffic flow but also contribute to the city's modernisation and infrastructure development.