“Who would ever need this bridge?” they wondered. That was the question on many lips as Väterbroplan and Väterbron began to take shape. Väterbroplan is a traffic intersection in Kungsholmen in Stockholm. It is a place that embodies both connection and transformation.
Väterbroplan sits just west of Väterbron. It is located just south of Fridhemsplan. Väterbroplan serves as a vital hub linking different parts of the city.
Back in the 1930s, some doubted the need for Väterbron. It seemed too far from the city’s heart to attract much traffic. They were wrong.
Upon its opening, Väterbron quickly proved its worth. Within a year, over 12000 cars crossed it daily. By 1955, that number had quadrupled. The bridge soon needed expansion. In 1955 and 1956, Väterbron was widened to accommodate bicycle lanes.
Väterbroplan’s history is intertwined with Väterbron’s. The bridge consists of three sections. One section stretches from Väterbroplan over Rålambshovsparken. It continues to Drottningholmsvägen near Fridhemsplan.
Originally, there was a plan for an embankment that would bisect the park. A small bridge would pass over Rålambshovsleden. The soil’s poor condition led to the present concrete structure. It is a girderless slab supported by pillars.
Today, Väterbroplan is more than just a traffic intersection. It is also the location of DN-Skrapan. It is the home of several newspapers and associated agencies. Though Dagens Nyheter no longer resides there, the area is still linked to journalism.
Nearby, you will find a large grocery store. There is also a pharmacy and Systembolaget. The offices of social services are located here too. Väterbroplan connects to Fridhemsplan via a bridge over Rålambshovsparken. It links to Essingeöarna via Mariebergsbron. It also connects to Södermalm via Väterbron.
Bus routes 1 and 62 run from Väterbroplan into central Stockholm. Bus route 4 goes to Södermalm via Väterbron. Bus route 49 takes passengers further into the western suburbs.
Between Väterbroplan and Fridhemsplan lies Rålambshovsparken. Rålambshovsvägen runs from Kristineberg through Väterbroplan. It continues to Väterbron. Along the road are blocks of flats built in the 1970s and 1980s. A parallel street, Gjörwellsgatan, runs from Mariebergsbron. It connects into the intersection.
Väterbroplan stands as a testament to Stockholm’s evolving needs. It shows the city’s capacity to adapt. This once-doubted intersection now plays a crucial role in the city’s daily life. So next time you pass through Väterbroplan, remember its story. Think about the bridge that wasn’t supposed to be needed.