Bonn: Nordbrücke will not be reopened

The Nordbrücke bridge in Bonn will not reopen to traffic due to extensive and irreparable damage. Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder announced that a complete replacement of the bridge is required.

Construction on the new bridge is anticipated to conclude by the end of 2028. The existing structure, a critical East-West link for the Bonn/Rhein-Sieg region, was closed in early June after inspections revealed significant structural damage to its load-bearing components.

Authorities had explored technical solutions to make the bridge safe for use again. However, comprehensive checks identified numerous defects and static problems within a section of the construction, rendering it unsafe for both passenger cars and trucks.

The Autobahn GmbH, responsible for the federal highway network, confirmed the discovery of structural damage. The closure of the Autobahn 565 bridge over the Rhine River has significantly impacted regional transportation.