Seems like a simple crossing, right? But this Behelfsbrücke has a story to tell. A Behelfsbrücke is German for temporary bridge or auxiliary bridge. These bridges serve a vital purpose. They ensure passage when a regular bridge is under construction or repair.
This particular Behelfsbrücke became essential during the expansion of the Prozessionsweg Bridge. The Prozessionsweg Bridge spans the Dortmund-Ems Canal. It is an important link for cyclists and pedestrians. It connects the neighborhoods of Hiltrup, Münster-Ost and Coerde. Together with the canal, it offers recreational opportunities for the city.
The original Prozessionsweg Bridge built in 1952 no longer met modern requirements. It lacked sufficient clearance height and span for the planned canal expansion. A new bridge was needed. But closing the Prozessionsweg Bridge would disrupt traffic. That’s where this Behelfsbrücke came in.
While the new Prozessionsweg Bridge was under construction this Behelfsbrücke ensured that pedestrians and cyclists could still cross the canal. This minimized inconvenience during the extensive construction project.
Think of this Behelfsbrücke as a stand-in. It temporarily fulfilled the role of the main bridge. It allowed life to continue smoothly even with major construction. These temporary structures often use prefabricated steel truss girders. These are easy to assemble. Simple constructions are often used for the substructures. These are not always reusable. Sometimes parts from demolished bridges are used to build a Behelfsbrücke.
Behelfsbrücken are not always temporary. Some remain in place permanently. These are then called permanent temporary bridges. An example is the Eiserner Steg in Regensburg. In 1945 the original bridge was blown up. A Wehrmacht war bridge was placed on the remaining abutments. This was only intended as a temporary solution. But it still stands today and is now a listed building.
Emergency bridges also play a role in the military. They secure troop movements in combat zones. They replace destroyed water crossings. The German Armed Forces’ ability to build such bridges proved crucial during the 2021 floods in the Ahr valley. They temporarily replaced several destroyed crossings over the Ahr.
Interestingly Gustave Eiffel produced the first Behelfsbrücken. Yes that Eiffel of the Eiffel Tower fame. The types of bridge equipment include Roth-Waagner bridge equipment and Bailey bridges.
The construction of the new Prozessionsweg Bridge is scheduled to begin in January 2025. It will take approximately 21 months. The new bridge will be a single-span steel truss bridge. It will be built in the same location as the existing bridge. It will consider public transport individual transport and inland navigation.
So the next time you cross this Behelfsbrücke remember its vital role. It keeps Münster moving. It is a testament to human ingenuity. It ensures progress without disruption.