Press release from Autobahn GmbH des Bundes dated 4 July 2024
The north-east branch of Autobahn GmbH, together with 14 experts, presented all the details of the preliminary planning for the replacement of the Mühlenfließbrücke bridge. No question of the citizens present in the Rüdersdorf cultural centre was to remain unanswered. The new replacement is far too important not only for Autobahn GmbH, but for the entire Berliner Ring and therefore for Brandenburg. And, of course, for the local residents. Around 90 of the residents of Rüdersdorf therefore accepted the invitation from Autobahn GmbH and were amazed at some of the content presented. After the welcoming address by Mayor Sabine Löser, the engineer in charge at Autobahn GmbH, Lars Gläsmann, made it very clear how urgent the new replacement is. Brandenburg's longest motorway bridge is barely able to withstand the increasing traffic and the increased volume of heavy goods vehicles. Firstly, it was never built for this purpose and secondly, there are construction errors from the past.
The bridge is already only passable to a limited extent. Temporary full closures are possible at any time. A scenario that nobody wants. For this reason, Autobahn GmbH is planning to realise the replacement construction very quickly. By using a special construction method, the entire new replacement structure could be completed in October 2028 after just 3 years, assuming construction begins in October 2025.
While the fast construction time certainly made an impression, there were fears about the expected construction noise and traffic. But here, too, project manager Gläsmann was able to surprise everyone. There will hardly be any construction site traffic through Rüdersdorf itself, as almost everything will be handled on the motorway. Construction site noise will also be considerably less than on other construction sites, as the large bridge sections will be delivered prefabricated.
Although the motorway engineers were able to score points with this, the big question of noise protection for the operation of the new Mühlenfließ bridge remained. Here, too, the initially critical mood changed surprisingly quickly.
Brandenburg's longest motorway bridge is not only being built in record time, but will also be considerably quieter. In addition to new bridge bearings and a special carriageway structure, modern and extensive noise barriers will ensure this. The noise protection elements, which are up to 5.50 metres high, are a completely voluntary service provided by Autobahn GmbH, but will be worthwhile for everyone, as the engineer responsible for noise protection, Britta Jörend, made clear with simple graphics.
After three hours of intensive dialogue, everyone felt that they could not only live with the plans presented so far, but also that they felt well informed.
And the constant flow of information will be maintained. For this purpose, a special Mühlenfließbrücke citizen information centre will be set up, which will be permanently managed by the press office of the North-East branch.
The broad support for the new replacement structure was therefore very clear from the public meeting. The first joint and decisive steps into the future for a resilient and, above all, quieter Mühlenfließbrücke have thus certainly been taken with the citizens' assembly. Even better is the fact that the new replacement does not have to go through a planning approval procedure that could take years. This could lead to the entire lorry traffic being diverted through the surrounding villages at any time, especially in the case of the old bridge, which has been badly damaged.
Ronald Normann, Director of the branch, who was present at the event, said: "As this is a new replacement structure, we can quickly and easily build a new Mühlenfließbrücke bridge in accordance with the German Trunk Roads Act without the often complex planning approval process. Nevertheless, the support of local residents is extremely important to us and, of course, the active support of those with political responsibility. But I think we all want to move in the same direction here: fast new construction, less noise and a modern Mühlenfließ Bridge that is fit and safe for the future."
Author of the press release:
Ralph Brodel
Head of Communications
Press spokesman
Die Autobahn GmbH des Bundes
North-East branch
An der A 111
16540 Hohen Neuendorf
presse.nordost@autobahn.de