Crossing the Rhine at Stromkilometer 691.9 the Mülheimer Brücke stands. It is more than just a bridge. It is a testament to Cologne’s resilience.
The Mülheimer Brücke connects Mülheim and Riehl. It is painted in the iconic Kölner Brückengrün. This green shade first appeared on this bridge.
Imagine being here in 1888. A ship bridge connected Mülheim to the left bank. This wooden structure rested on about 40 pontoons.
Cologne committed to building a fixed bridge after incorporating Mülheim in 1914. World War I delayed the project.
A design competition favored a monumental arch bridge. But Konrad Adenauer wanted a suspension bridge. He got his way after convincing the KPD faction.
Construction began in 1927. The Mülheimer Schiffbrücke closed shortly after. Konrad Adenauer opened the new bridge in 1929. The Straßenbahn also used it.
The bridge was an “unechte Hängebrücke”. This meant the roadway absorbed the tensile forces. This avoided the need for heavy anchor blocks. It was the largest self-anchored suspension bridge at the time.
Disaster struck during World War II. An air raid destroyed the Mülheimer Brücke in 1944. The pylons buckled due to the internal forces.
The bridge had been prepared for demolition. The bomb detonated the explosives.
Reconstruction started in 1949. The new Mülheimer Brücke opened in 1951. Adenauer, now Chancellor, attended the ceremony.
The rebuilt bridge used the old piers. It looks similar to its predecessor. However, it is now a true suspension bridge. The cables are anchored in the ground. An orthotropic deck made it lighter.
In 1977, the bridge expanded to include Stadtbahn tracks. Lines 13 and 18 now run across it.
LED lights illuminated the Mülheimer Brücke in 2012. It was the first bridge in Germany with full LED lighting. 112 lamps create a beautiful nighttime view.
Since 2018, the Mülheimer Brücke has been undergoing extensive renovations. This includes rebuilding parts and reinforcing others. The project is complex and costly.
The original cost estimate was around 188 million euros. But damages were more extensive than expected. Costs have risen to over 300 million euros. Completion is now expected in mid-2026.
The project has faced criticism for delays and cost overruns. The city admits the challenges of renovating a historical structure.
Despite these challenges, the Mülheimer Brücke remains vital. It carries traffic, Stadtbahn lines and pedestrians. It is an important symbol of Cologne’s history. The Mülheimer Brücke is a testament to Cologne’s enduring spirit. Its lights still shine brightly, a beacon across the Rhine.