In Munich, we can expect a number of construction sites this year, such as the expansion of the Tram-Westtangente and the renovation of the Olympic Stadium. And there is no end in sight in the coming years, as further construction projects are set to follow, some larger than others. One real mega-project in the not-too-distant future will be the Donnersberger Bridge. It is now so dilapidated that it can no longer be renovated and demolition is the only option. However, rebuilding this long-established bridge also offers opportunities for more attractive urban planning.
The Donnersberger Bridge in constant change
Photo: Maximilian Dörrbecker/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5
In 1874, a first footbridge was built in place of today’s Donnersbergerbrücke, crossing the railway and connecting the districts of Schwanthalerhöhe and Neuhausen. This so-called iron footbridge was replaced in 1900 by a proper road bridge and led to Donnersbergerstraße, giving it its name. Later, another new bridge was built and officially inaugurated in 1935.
When Munich planned the Mittlerer Ring, the Donnersberger Bridge was once again the focus of attention. Part of it had to be rebuilt in order to complete the western tangent of the ring. In the course of this, it was moved to Landshuter Allee, where it ends today, and was given three lanes. The construction project lasted until 1972 without disrupting rail or private transport. Only tram 22, which previously stopped on the bridge, had to be rerouted. To cause as little disruption as possible, a large part of the construction work was carried out at night.
A new chapter for the Donnersberger Bridge
Today, the Donnersberger Bridge is one of the busiest inner-city bridges in Europe, with up to 150,000 vehicles crossing it every day. As a result, it is constantly exposed to heavy loads and has had to be renovated several times over the decades. Now it has reached its limit and renovation is no longer sufficient. Within the next few years, the bridge must be demolished and rebuilt, otherwise it will have to be closed.
Exactly when the construction project will be implemented and what it will look like has not yet been determined. First, the city will have the Hackerbrücke bridge renovated in 2027 and divert traffic over the Donnersbergerbrücke bridge during this time. Only then can the Hackerbrücke bridge be demolished. Until then, the building department wants to conduct a feasibility study that examines architectural and urban planning aspects and the necessary interventions.
The top priority is to ensure that traffic continues to flow smoothly, but a more attractive design for the bridge could be conceivable as part of the new construction. This could mean, for example, adding greenery or creating viewing terraces and shops. The space under the bridge could also be put to new use as a place to linger, although you can already discover street art there today.