New bridge building in mast break: Traffic needle finally opens again!

New bridge building in mast break: Traffic needle finally opens again!

On March 20, 2024, the new bridge on Mastbruchstrasse via the B1 in Paderborn was released for traffic, one day earlier than planned. This opening is an important step for the transport infrastructure in the region after the previous bridge had to be demolished in November 2023 due to its dilapidated state. The new building was carried out by Street NRW

The construction work on the bridge was not without difficulty. Vandalism and thefts of building materials led to delays. In addition, fire caused damage to the sealing of the building. The release of the new bridge ends the diversion route for the residents of the Mastbruch district and restores an important transport connection between Neuhaus Castle and the northeast of the core city.

building history and challenges

For more than a year, the bridge over the B1 for truck traffic over 16 tons and for vehicles over 3.5 tons. The work on the demolition and subsequent new building began on October 16, 2023 and resulted in a full closure of Mastbruchstrasse for all vehicle traffic, pedestrians and cyclists. This blocking was necessary to ensure a secure working environment for the dismantling of the old bridge and the installation of new infrastructure.

The demolition of the existing bridge was planned for the first November weekend in 2023. Afterwards, the traffic on the B1 was continued towards Paderborn-Elsen while moving into a lane. This ongoing traffic was necessary to minimize the effects on mobility in the region.

The costs for the replacement building were around 2.9 million euros. The entire construction work was designed for a expected conclusion on March 21, 2024, so that the release of the new building for traffic can now be seen as a sign of successful completion.

critical infrastructure and bridges in need of renovation

The challenges in Paderborn are symptomatic of a much bigger problem in Germany. As Ingenieur.de , are in need of renovation over 8000 AutoBahnbrücken and 3000 Bundesstraßenbrücken. The maintenance strategies are often reactive and lead to increasing costs. In this context, the need for a structured plan to renovate bridge is considered pressing.

ailing bridges are not only a danger to traffic safety, they also affect the economy and quality of life of the residents. The collapse of the Carola Bridge in Dresden was seen as a wake-up call for infrastructure policy, whereby many of the existing bridges in Germany, which were built between 1960 and 1980, now reach the end of their life cycle.

In order to meet these challenges, cities and countries have to develop long -term investment strategies. These include digital approaches such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and the use of artificial intelligence to optimize bridge construction. A rethink in approval policy could also be necessary to accelerate renovation and new construction projects.