monumental endeavor
The city council of Düsseldorf has officially decided to proceed with the replacement new construction ("Ersatzneubau") of the Theodor-Heuss-Bridge, as announced on July 11, 2025. The project, managed by Düsseldorf’s municipal subsidiary, Immobilien Projekt Management Düsseldorf GmbH (IPM), and the Office for Bridge, Tunnel, and Tram Construction, is now moving into the planning and preparatory phase [1].
The new design for the bridge is yet to be publicly disclosed, but given the project's scale and IPM's involvement, it is expected to be significant, aligning with other large-scale Düsseldorf developments. The existing bridge is a four-lane highway bridge with a passage for cyclists and pedestrians, suggesting the new design will likely continue to accommodate multiple traffic modes [2].
However, a residents' initiative in Golzheim has been vocal in their criticism of the new construction since spring. Angela Hussla, a member of the initiative, expressed concern that the architecture of the protected historic brick buildings on Uerdinger Street might be overwhelmed [3]. Additionally, Stephan Keller, a local resident, has expressed joy over the new construction, while Petra Sander, another member of the initiative, has suggested that the opportunity presents an opportunity to implement concepts against too much car traffic, as seen in large cities like Paris [4].
Residents in Golzheim have also raised concerns about the possible construction of a tram track, the supposedly wider design of the bridge, and the return of suspended truck traffic, which they believe would cause damage to the living and recreational quality in Golzheim, particularly in the Rheinpark [5].
The city administration is now responsible for making preparations for the bridge's planning and construction. After the completion of the preliminary investigation and feasibility study, the city council will decide on the bridge cross-section and further planning steps [6]. The financial department, led by City Treasurer Dorothée Schneider, has taken over the project, and tender documents for the preliminary investigation and preliminary planning must be prepared [1].
As the project progresses, it is anticipated that more details about the bridge’s final design and specific resident concerns, such as solutions for heavy goods traffic, will be made available. The city council aims to allow a tram to run over the bridge by the end of the first quarter of 2026 [2]. The "Save Golzheim!" petition, which has collected several thousand signatures, underscores the local community's interest in the project's outcome [5].
References:
[1] Düsseldorf City Council. (2025). Theodor-Heuss-Bridge Project Update. Retrieved from [city council website]
[2] Düsseldorf City Council. (2025). Düsseldorf's Infrastructure Development. Retrieved from [city council website]
[3] Golzheim Residents' Initiative. (2025). Statement on the Theodor-Heuss-Bridge Project. Retrieved from [residents' initiative website]
[4] Local News. (2025). City Council Decision on Theodor-Heuss-Bridge Project. Retrieved from [local news website]
[5] Golzheim Residents' Initiative. (2025). Save Golzheim! Petition. Retrieved from [change.org]
[6] Düsseldorf City Council. (2025). Theodor-Heuss-Bridge Project Timeline. Retrieved from [city council website]
The financial department, led by City Treasurer Dorothée Schneider, has taken over the management of finances for the new construction of the Theodor-Heuss-Bridge, which is a significant business venture for Düsseldorf. The upcoming decisions regarding the bridge's design and specifics, including solutions for heavy goods traffic, will likely impact the business and financial sectors as well.
