A behemoth of concrete and steel. That’s the Hochbrücke Freimann. It spans the Autobahn 9. A vital artery connecting Munich to Berlin.
The Hochbrücke Freimann isn’t just any bridge. It’s a testament to engineering. It carries not only cars. The U6 subway line also runs beneath it. A unique blend of road and rail. It also acts as a connector between the Nordring railway and the Munich U-Bahn. This allows for seamless travel. People often call the Hochbrücke Freimann the Tatzelwurm. It’s named after a mythical creature. A serpentine beast that fits the bridge’s long and winding shape.
Originally built between 1958 and 1960. The old Hochbrücke Freimann was a marvel of its time. A pre-stressed hollow-box girder bridge. It was designed to accommodate the increasing traffic in Munich. The city was expanding its ring roads. The A9 needed to connect to the Mittlerer Ring. The old bridge handled this demand. However time and weather took their toll. Salt used in winter de-icing corroded its steel and concrete. This required costly repairs. Engineers even installed support structures. It became clear that complete renovation was too expensive. It was a better idea to build a new bridge.
Construction of the new Hochbrücke Freimann began in 2007. It was completed in 2011. The clever construction method kept traffic flowing. Work occurred on one side at a time. Traffic was diverted to the other side. This ensured both directions remained open. Though the lanes were narrower during construction. The old bridge was even carefully cut in half. Each half was demolished and rebuilt separately. The entire process of building the new bridge was impressively planned and executed. Protective structures safeguarded the subway and other infrastructure below.
Today’s Hochbrücke Freimann is a refined structure. It boasts noise barriers. They are made of acrylic glass. They rise up to eight meters high. These barriers reduce the noise pollution caused by the heavy traffic. The new design stands on four pillars per section. This makes it look sleeker than its predecessor.
Beneath the Hochbrücke Freimann. There are plans for a subculture hub. This would make it a truly unique place. A bridge that connects not just traffic. It connects people too. It’s a testament to Munich’s dynamic past present and future. The Hochbrücke Freimann a story in concrete and steel. A bridge that endures.