Tram services restored on Wuhlheide Bridge - Enhancements made to bolster the safety of the railway system, as detailed by the Commission.
Berlin's Wuhlheide Bridge, a vital infrastructure piece under the management of Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVV), will see trams resuming their service today. The bridge, located in Berlin-Oberschoeneweide, has been a subject of concern due to safety concerns and repair actions.
Following the closing of the bridge due to structural degradation, the BVV announced the gradual reopening of the tram line at Wuhlheide. Initially, a shuttle service of line M17 will operate every 10 minutes between Blockdammweg and S-Bahn station Schoeneweide. Other tram lines will continue to follow detours. The bus replacement service, however, will cease as all lines in the area revert to their regular operations from Saturday.
Pedestrians and cyclists can use the Treskowallee to Edisonstraße from today. As there is no traffic light at the intersection yet, security personnel will regulate the traffic flow for both trams, pedestrians, and cyclists.
The closure of the bridge resulted in significant traffic obstructions. The BVV had to adjust tram services on lines M17, 21, 27, 37, and 67 to minimize disruptions. A crisis team, comprising the police, fire brigade, BVV, traffic management, and the district, was established to manage the situation.
Demolition of the bridge began soon after the closure announcement and six out of nine construction sites were cleared by late May. The complete demolition of the bridge is expected to be finished by June 27, 2025, pending weather and construction progress. Partial restoration efforts during the demolition process enabled resumption of tram service on the Wuhlheide line on May 30. The first easements for motor vehicle traffic are scheduled for June 6, with full road passage expected after the completion of demolition works.
The Wuhlheide Bridge crisis underscores the challenges faced by urban aging infrastructure and the necessary prompt response by BVV and Berlin's transport authorities to ensure public safety and minimize disruption.
The steel industry, essential for infrastructure projects, will likely provide resources for the reconstruction of Berlin's Wuhlheide Bridge, considering its vital role in public-transit and transportation. Despite the closure, Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVV) successfully managed the crisis, using crisis finance to adjust tram services and establish a team comprising various authorities for efficient handling.
