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Good news for drivers: Josef-Kardinal-Frings Bridge will soon be open!
Düsseldorf provides information about the planned opening of the Josef-Kardinal-Frings Bridge by the end of 2025. Less traffic jams expected.
Good news for drivers: Josef-Kardinal-Frings Bridge will soon be open!
There is good news for drivers in Düsseldorf: The Josef-Kardinal-Frings Bridge, which has been suffering from constant renovation work for years, will gradually be reopened over the next six weeks. This is reported by the RP Online. The condition of the almost 100-year-old bridge was classified as critical, but still sufficient. After extensive testing, the first lane in the direction of Neuss can now be opened from November 10th, while the other lane in the direction of Düsseldorf should be opened by the end of the year.
Drivers were actually informed about the complete closure, but a full closure is not necessary for the time being. The Rheinbahn trains can continue to run over the bridge as long as there is no oncoming traffic. According to the forecasts, the report for the bridge is expected to be completed by the turn of the year.
Planned repair work
The extensive repair work on the Josef Cardinal Frings Bridge began in August 2023 and is intended to keep the bridge roadworthy until the planned replacement construction. The Streets.NRW The Lower Rhine regional branch is taking care of the extensive renewal of the roadway, the sealing of the structure and the renovation of the drainage. From June 14, 2024, the maximum permissible speed will also be reduced to 50 km/h to avoid damage.
The bridge is an essential part of the B1 federal highway and will be renovated in three construction phases. During the work, the bridge is only accessible in one lane in each direction of travel. Access remains open for cyclists. Diversions are available, for example via the A57/A46 in a southerly direction and through the Düsseldorf city area in a northerly direction.
Long-term solutions
A key point is the need for a replacement building, as a complete renovation of the bridge, which was built in the 1950s, is no longer possible. This new building is being planned by DEGES (German Unity Trunk Road Planning and Construction GmbH), meaning that the construction burden will be transferred from the cities of Düsseldorf and Neuss to Straßen.NRW from January 1, 2024. The initial plans call for the final construction phase to begin in summer 2026, including renewal of the bridge's corrosion protection from below.
The economic effects should not be forgotten: the economy is protesting against the closures for trucks over 7.5 tons, which can cause annual economic damage of around 45 million euros. Faster alternative routes and accelerated planning for the new building are required.
More bridges in focus
The situation at the Josef Cardinal Frings Bridge is part of a larger problem in Germany. As the Federal ministries for traffic, the age structure of many bridges, which were often built between 1960 and 1985, requires comprehensive maintenance and modernization measures. A bridge modernization program has been launched to improve the load-bearing capacity and traffic safety of many older bridges. The aim is to create a continuous core network of routes with the required carrying capacity within the next decade.
Overall, the return to a roadworthy Josef-Kardinal-Frings Bridge is a good step for traffic control in Düsseldorf, even if there will still be some challenges for the city, the economy and the planners.