Isn’t it interesting that this bridge has two names. We are standing at the Inselbrücke in Potsdam. But there is also an Inselbrücke in Berlin. This Inselbrücke in Potsdam is a pedestrian and cycle bridge. It spans the Alte Fahrt der Havel.
Let’s delve into the Inselbrücke’s story. It links the northern part of the Freundschaftsinsel to Burgstraße. This is in an older part of Potsdam. A first footbridge stood here in 1965.
By the late 1990s, it was in bad shape. Its load-bearing capacity was questionable. Potsdam won the bid for the Bundesgartenschau 2001. This led to changes on the Freundschaftsinsel. Planners needed to ensure the bridge could handle small vehicles. These were for construction and supplies. A new bridge became necessary.
The current Inselbrücke is a combined arch and beam structure. It uses a steel composite design. The reinforced concrete slab rests on a hinged arch. This slab extends to the abutment area on steel beams. The abutments blend with the existing slopes. The design incorporates cornices. The bridge’s railing and crossbeams maintain a sense of lightness. This is despite its ability to carry vehicles. The underside of the steel composite slab features a stainless steel trapezoidal profile. This also served as formwork.
The Inselbrücke spans 45.76 meters. The clear width between the railings is 4.60 meters. The roadway between the granite curbs measures 3.50 meters. The flexibly supported bridge arch has a span of 34 meters. It features a longitudinal slope of 6 percent and a transverse slope of 3 percent. The new Inselbrücke opened on December 7, 2000. It provides a vital link for pedestrians and cyclists. It also allows access for light service vehicles. This ensures the continued maintenance and enjoyment of the Freundschaftsinsel.