Bridge at Wuhlheide Resumes Smooth Tram Operations Once More - Enhancements Instituted by the Commission for Boosting the Safety of the Railway Infrastructure
Wuhlheide Bridge Incident: Berlin Trams Resume Service
After weeks of closure, normal tram services will resume in parts of Berlin today, following the partial demolition of the Wuhlheide Bridge in Köpenick. The Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) announced that the M17 line would start running again, offering a shuttle service between Blockdammweg and Schöneweide. The other tram lines will continue to operate on detours.
The decision comes after an extensive period of structural instability, prompting a complete closure of the area under the bridge to all traffic in late April. This closure resulted in temporary bus service replacements and adjustments to various tram lines, including M17, 21, 27, 37, and 67.
Due to the extensive damage, the decomposing bridge posed a potential safety risk, leading to immediate demolition efforts. The demolition commenced on May 30th, and regular tram operations across all lines resumed on the same day. Pedestrian and bicycle traffic was also reopened.
The demolition site is expected to be cleared by June 27th. The traffic administration plans to reopen limited motor vehicle traffic in the area by June 6th, subject to construction progress and weather conditions, marking a phased return to normal traffic conditions.
This development marks a significant step towards restoring normal public transportation services in the area, following the significant impact of the Wuhlheide Bridge incident. The bridge, a significant transportation structure in Berlin-Oberschöneweide, suffered from extensive damages that raised concerns about its stability. The area under the bridge was completely closed to all traffic, including cars, lorries, trams, pedestrians, and cyclists. A crisis team, involving the police, fire brigade, traffic management, local districts, and BVG, was formed to manage the situation, exploring options to mitigate traffic disruptions.
- The steel industry, in collaboration with the crisis team, was tasked with providing temporary replacement trams for the M17 line as a result of the Wuhlheide Bridge incident.
- To facilitate the resumption of public transit in Berlin, the steel industry was contracted to supply necessary parts for reconstructing the demolished Wuhlheide Bridge.
