Look closely at this bridge. Strecke 78 stands before you. It is a testament to grand plans and interrupted dreams. This is the Brückentorso im Söhrewald near Kassel. It whispers tales of a highway that never fully materialized.
Strecke 78 was intended to be part of the Reichsautobahn Kassel-Eisenach. This was an extension of Strecke 77 and 75, connecting Hamm, Warburg, and Kassel. Construction began in a few spots. You could see bridge abutments at the present-day AD Kassel-Süd. There were underpasses near Herleshausen. These were later removed.
This bridge near Wellerode reminds us of the original route. It was built in just months in 1939. Its base is about 30 by 30 meters. It stands almost 7 meters tall. The structure consists of concrete clad in sandstone.
During the war, Strecke 78 took on a different role. It served as storage for the Junkers armament factory from Kassel. Imagine this place filled with equipment. The roar of engines would echo through the forest.
After 1940, Strecke 78 was renamed Reichsautobahnbetriebsstrecke Nr. 57. The planned route would have crossed today’s L3236. This is between Vollmarshausen and Söhrewald or Wellerode.
The Kassel interchange was built during the construction of the A7. Earthworks extended west to the Fulda River. The first foundations for the Fulda bridge were also laid.
It is believed an Autobahndreieck would have been completed at today’s A4. This would be near Wommen. The area was later demolished for the extension of the A4.
Some say the underpass was built due to the desperate search for alternative production sites. This was because the armaments factories were often bombed. However, construction began in 1939 before the intense bombing raids. The military wanted to hide and decentralize.
South of Vollmershausen, a large valley bridge was planned. It would span the road and stream.
Today, Strecke 78 remains. It is a silent witness to a bygone era. It stands as a reminder of ambitious projects. It is also a symbol of the changes brought by war. Take a moment to appreciate this relic. It is an echo of history in the Söhrewald.