Demolition of the B304 bridge over the A99: traffic experiences years of diversions!

Demolition of the B304 bridge over the A99: traffic experiences years of diversions!

In a major renovation project, the bridge on the B304 over the A99 will be demolished and rebuilt. This reports Mercury. Construction work is expected to begin in winter 2025/26 and is expected to take a total of three years. During this time, traffic will be directed over a temporary bridge. The costs for the comprehensive new building amount to around 30 million euros, which represents a decent investment.

The reason for this extensive renovation is the corrosion damage and spalling that was discovered on the concrete of the existing bridge. Despite these deficiencies, there is no acute danger to road users. In order to prevent falling concrete, a safety net is stretched under the bridge as a precaution. Preparations for the new building are expected to start in October 2025, with clearing and laying supply lines on the agenda.

Impact on traffic and residents

Construction of the temporary bridge is expected to begin in mid-2026, while the existing bridge is scheduled to be demolished in autumn 2026. This means the A99 is likely to be completely closed at night during the demolition. The planned work will certainly cause some disruption for residents and commuters, as the entire construction process will last until 2028. The cycle path along the B304, which will be closed during construction work, will be particularly affected.

To ensure the long service life of bridge structures, effective corrosion protection is essential. According to the Federal Highway Research Institute There are around 4,200 steel and steel composite bridges in operation in Germany, with a total area of ​​over 6 million square meters. The corrosion-protected structures not only ensure the longevity of the bridges, but also actively help to minimize maintenance costs.

Innovations in corrosion protection

Today, modern corrosion protection systems must meet the highest requirements. The 2K epoxy systems, for example, are innovative and offer both corrosion and fire protection. Loud Sherwin Williams These systems have been tried and tested in practice for over ten years and provide a protection period of over 50 years, all with a layer thickness of just 400 µm. These technologies are crucial because steel bridges often require multiple replacements over their lifetime.

The challenges in bridge construction are not only the amount of investment, but also the constant demands on the materials and coatings. Corrosion protection is the be-all and end-all to guarantee safety and functionality for the next generations. It remains exciting to see how the project in Munich will develop and how traffic can deal with the planned changes.