Ever wondered why a bridge built in 1993 was replaced after only eleven years? Today we are standing before the Ernst-Keller-Brücke. This bridge carries the Johannisthaler Chaussee over the Teltow Canal. It links Britz and Baumschulenweg.
Let’s delve into its interesting story. The Ernst-Keller-Brücke is not just any bridge. It is a steel arch bridge with a suspended bridge deck. The current bridge was built in 2004. But its predecessor, a beam bridge constructed in 1993, had to be replaced sooner than expected.
The reason behind this quick replacement lies in the construction of the A113 motorway. This motorway runs parallel to the canal. The Johannisthaler Chaussee interchange is located directly at the bridge. This made a new bridge construction necessary.
The original bridge built in 1904 was dedicated to Ernst Keller. He was a manor administrator and owner. Also, he was a Knight Councillor in Großziethen and a district representative in the Teltow district.
The Ernst-Keller-Brücke is located at kilometer 30.68 of the Teltow Canal. This artificial waterway is an essential part of Berlin’s infrastructure. It facilitates transportation and connects different parts of the city. The Fanny-Zobel-Brücke passes over the A113 motorway immediately northeast of here.
Before the current steel arch bridge, there was a riveted steel truss bridge. It was inaugurated on October 22, 1904. This earlier bridge was also dedicated to Ernst Keller.
The 1993 beam bridge cost 2.7 million DM. It had a steel superstructure and an orthotropic plate. The decision to replace it after only eleven years shows how infrastructure projects can be affected by larger developments.
Today, the Ernst-Keller-Brücke ensures the smooth flow of traffic. It connects Britz and Baumschulenweg. As we stand here, remember the layered history beneath our feet. Think about Ernst Keller and the rapid changes in Berlin’s infrastructure that led to the bridge we see today. The Ernst-Keller-Brücke stands as a testament to Berlin’s constant evolution and adaptation.