Pleistermühlenweg-Brücke

Slipping through time, imagine 1954. The original Pleistermühlenweg-Brücke is new, spanning the Dortmund-Ems-Kanal. It’s a vital link, connecting the “Zum Guten Hirten” road between two bustling Münster neighborhoods. Now, fast forward to today. We stand before the Pleistermühlenweg-Brücke. This isn’t the 1954 version. That bridge, a sturdy stabbogenbrücke (arch bridge) with a western Vorlandbrüche (foreland bridge), served Münster well. But progress waits for no bridge. The Dortmund-Ems-Kanal needed expansion for larger ships. The old Pleistermühlenweg-Brücke, at a mere 50.27 meters wide and 4.54 meters high, couldn’t accommodate the new traffic. So, in mid-2024, a transformation began. The Pleistermühlenweg-Brücke entered a new era. A temporary bridge ensured pedestrians and cyclists could still cross the canal. Motorized traffic detoured via the Laerer-Landweg-Brücke. This massive undertaking, costing roughly 15.6 million euros, involved meticulous planning and execution. Five distinct phases marked the bridge’s rebirth. Everything from building the temporary bridge, dismantling the old structure, constructing new abutments, and finally, sliding the sleek new steel diagonal bridge into place. This new Pleistermühlenweg-Brücke, with its single arch and orthotropic roadway, now boasts a length of 99.20 meters and a width of 9.70 meters. The bridge gracefully accommodates increased ship traffic, with a height that adheres to modern regulations. The eastern and western ramps were also adjusted, improving access and creating a new pedestrian and cycle path on the canal’s left side. This new Pleistermühlenweg-Brücke is more than just a bridge. It’s a symbol of Münster’s commitment to progress, while preserving its connection to the past.