Bridge at the northwest center: closure remains until autumn - traffic chaos threatens!

Bridge at the northwest center: closure remains until autumn - traffic chaos threatens!

The bridge at the northwest center in Frankfurt remains closed for the time being and is causing significant traffic disruptions. Since November 2024, the connection from Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße to Erich-Ollenhauer-Ring has no longer been passable. This not only leads to bottlenecks in access to the shopping center, but also on Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße, which is also an important traffic route. As the FAZ reported that the closure became necessary due to possible deficiencies in the prestressing steels and the suspicion of stress corrosion cracking. A subsequent check showed that the static values ​​of the bridge were no longer sufficient.

To ensure safety on the bridge and prevent any damage, a collapse frame will be installed to support the structure. The preparatory work for this began in mid-May 2025. These measures are necessary to restore the bridge's load-bearing capacity. Initial results of the preparatory work show that the power line near the bridge does not run as planned, which complicates the installation of the frame. Apart from the traffic situation, the measure is expected to be completed by autumn 2025. The Frankfurt city portal also states that the closure measures entail a wide variety of diversions and restrictions for road users.

Avoid detours and traffic accidents

During construction, traffic will be sequentially shifted to currently available lanes, which will cause additional disruption. On Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße, makeshift crossings north and south of the bridge ensure diversions. The inner lanes are closed but will be reopened after the collapse frame is installed. It seems somewhat reassuring that once the support structure is completed, two lanes will be available towards the city center. One lane out of town will remain temporarily closed until the bridge is finally rebuilt, which could take at least five years.

The bridge at the northwest center is not the only one of its kind that is currently under observation in Frankfurt. Comparisons to the Omega Bridge in Griesheim and the Weißen Stein Bridge in Eschersheim show that similar prestressed steel structures can also have problems. These developments shed light on the importance of regular inspections and maintenance measures to guarantee road safety at all times.

Current work and future measures

The timing for further work is still uncertain. While the preparatory work to assemble the supporting structure is progressing, there are already further restrictions on Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße. From May 19th to 23rd, 2025, the opportunity was taken to close the right-hand acceleration lanes of the fire and rescue station in both directions in order to set up a temporary crossing for emergency vehicles heading into the city. However, the road remains a single lane, allowing traffic to continue, although there are numerous restrictions until the work is finally completed.

The mammoth task of rebuilding the bridge will certainly be optimized with regard to modern traffic safety and infrastructure requirements. The goal is to find a more stable and sustainable solution that meets the needs of today and in the future.