Guerickestraße bridge over the Kappelbach is being renovated
Construction work to begin next week
The renovation of the Guerickestraße bridge over the Kappelbach will begin next week. In order to keep access to the residential area and the school open and vehicle traffic flowing at all times, the bridge will be built on one side at a time. Traffic will be regulated by traffic lights. Pedestrians will have a separate footpath.
The single-span arched bridge was built in 1890. It has a total length of approx. 8.50 metres and a clear width of approx. 7.20 metres. It is approx. 19 metres wide between the railings. The asphalt road, including the paved gutters, is 5 metres wide and the paved walkways on both sides are between 4.20 and 4.80 metres wide. The vaulted arch, as well as the end and wing walls, are made of hammer-straight course masonry.
Routine structural inspections have revealed damage to various components. The facing shell (external wall panelling) of the vault wall shows pronounced moisture penetration with cracks and sintering (lime stains). In some places, water is pushing through in the transom area (area of the abutment). The facing brickwork on the end walls and in the area of the wing walls is weathered over a large area. Especially in the transom area, at the transition to the bridge wing, there is lateral water leakage. The load-bearing element, the vault, is soaked through over a large area.
The repairs are being carried out in two large sections. Firstly, the upstream (upstream) half of the bridge will be exposed. The backfill and backfill of the structure will be removed. The arch and the neighbouring wing walls are exposed. Lightweight concrete is applied to the surface of the existing arch. Together with the reinforced concrete slab above it, this leads to an even load on the arch. A sealant is applied to the slab.
The downstream (upstream or downstream) half of the arch is then repaired in the same way.
In order to reach the old road level, the bridge will be given a road structure. The road cross-section essentially corresponds to the current cross-section.
The Guerickestraße bridge is due to be completed by the end of December 2024.
The costs amount to around 800,000 euros.