Refurbishment of the dilapidated Kanonsberg Bridge in Rostock is now starting!

Refurbishment of the dilapidated Kanonsberg Bridge in Rostock is now starting!

In Rostock, the renovation of the historic bridge on the Kanonsberg is imminent. The construction work, which has already started with large excavators and visible earthworks, are necessary to replace the dilapidated structures, some of which date from the 19th century. The Rostock civil engineering office has commissioned the Greifswald company ASA-Bau GmbH with the extensive work, which should be completed by May 2026. This measure is part of the renewed review of the bridge infrastructure, which is in great need of renovation in Germany, which affects more than 8,000 bridges in the motorway network and around 3,000 on federal roads, as a study by the German Institute for Urban Studies shows.

The bridge on the Kanonsberg is in a state that makes regular measures inevitable. According to the responsible bodies, the substructures and abutment are around 1860 dilapidated, which exceeds the lifespan of this important transport connection. Switzerland is a reflection of the Federal Republic in this regard: every second municipal road bridge is classified as ailing. This is not only a security risk, but also a financial burden for the municipalities.

investments in the infrastructure

The total cost of the new construction work amounts to around 1.35 million euros, a necessary investment in the security and future of the Rostock infrastructure. The dismantling of the staircase access to the bridge begins in May 2025. The bridge superstructure, including the tread and the railing made of steel, is repaired and then transported to a workshop. Here he is processed thoroughly before returning to his traditional place. The soil conditions are also checked before the start of work using ordnance probes.

It is particularly interesting that the bridge on the Kanonsberg is not only a traffic route, but also a habitat for bats. 16 bat boxes were mounted on the old bridge pillars. The lower nature conservation authorities have already provided measures to provide replacement quarters for the feathered friends in addition to the new areas. These are to be assembled again after the new bridge has been completed, so that the habitat of the bats remains secured.

regional importance of the bridge

The area around the canons mountain is not only a popular destination because of the bridge, but also an important interface for pedestrians and cyclists. During the entire construction work, the foot and bike path below the canon mountain remain usable, so that residents and visitors continue to have access without any problems. However, a few restrictions have to be accepted: parts of the outdoor facilities are blocked during the earthworks.

The bridge renovation in Rostock once again shows that the infrastructure in Germany needs more attention and investment. With around 1,100 dilapidated railway bridges and a bridge landscape in need of renovation, the municipalities face challenges that not only require financial resources, but also clever plans. Initiatives such as those of the city of Rostock are of crucial importance here to create long -term solutions and collateral for everyone.

For Rostock, this means that preparations and ongoing work will not only have an impact on the city and its citizens in the long term. It remains exciting to see how the project will develop and what improvements in the infrastructure follow.

Further information on the renovation of the bridge on the Kanonsberg can be found on [NDR] (https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/mecklenburg-vorpommern/rostock/rostock-bruecke-am-kanonsberg-werd--werd--werd-s- Rostock] (https://rathaus.rostock.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=364164). A comprehensive overview of the state of bridges in Germany also offers Drees & Sommer.