Dresdeners often remark, “That bridge has seen a lot.” Indeed, the Max-Walther-Brücke stands as a testament to Dresden’s resilience and its commitment to progress. Let’s delve into the story of this vital structure.
The Max-Walther-Brücke isn’t just a way to cross from one side to the other. It’s a symbol of connection. This bridge carries Waltherstrasse over the railway tracks of Dresden-Friedrichstadt station. Hermann Walther was a chief physician at Friedrichstadt Hospital. The street and subsequently the bridge, were named in his honor.
Imagine the bustling activity beneath the bridge. Passenger and freight trains rumble along the tracks. The Max-Walther-Brücke ensures smooth traffic flow above. It’s a crucial part of Dresden’s transportation network.
Originally, there was an older bridge on this site. It was built in 1894. This earlier Waltherbrücke replaced a tunnel under the railway facilities. The old bridge had 23 steel and stone pillars and was 293 meters long. By 1925, corrosion damage was evident. The structure was reinforced and renovated.
War damage necessitated further repairs after 1945. A significant change came in 1966/67. The bridge had to be raised for the electrification of the Berlin-Dresden railway line. Only the western side was raised. The eastern part was removed. The bridge became unusable for vehicles and was only used by pedestrians and cyclists.
A new bridge was planned as early as 1994. However, construction was delayed because of funding. During the 2002 Elbe flood, the old bridge suffered further damage. Ironically, it was the only flood-safe route into Friedrichstadt. The damaged bridge became vital for evacuating Friedrichstadt Hospital. Demolition and reconstruction became unavoidable due to the flood.
The new Max-Walther-Brücke was financed using funds from the Hochwasseraufbaufonds. The city of Dresden and Deutsche Bahn also contributed. The total cost amounted to approximately 20 million euros. The old structure was removed between August and October 2003. About 500 tons of steel scrap and 1,000 cubic meters of concrete were removed.
The Max-Walther-Brücke was rebuilt using the incremental launching method. Construction started in November 2003, working from the southern side. The new bridge opened on December 14, 2004. This occurred after only a year and a month of construction.
Today, the Max-Walther-Brücke is 298 meters long and 22.20 meters wide. It features a composite steel structure with three steel box girders and a reinforced concrete deck. The bridge carries two lanes of traffic in each direction. Pedestrians and cyclists use dedicated paths on both sides. Around 8,500 vehicles use the Max-Walther-Brücke daily. Heavy goods vehicles account for around five percent of the traffic.
Interestingly, the Max-Walther-Brücke is designed to accommodate a future tram line. This would connect the tram lines on Fröbel-/Cottaer Straße with those on Schäfer-/Walther-/Hamburger Straße.
As you stand here, consider the many layers of history beneath your feet. The Max-Walther-Brücke is more than steel and concrete. It represents Dresden’s ability to rebuild. The Max-Walther-Brücke represents the city’s continuous efforts to improve its infrastructure.