Trams might resume service over Wuhlheide Bridge starting the following day. - Trams expected to resume operations tomorrow.
Reopening of Wuhlheide Bridge in Berlin: Partial Resumption of Tram Services
Tram services, emergency vehicles, and other affected transportation routes are set to experience relief as the structurally compromised Wuhlheide Bridge in Berlin-Oberschöneweide may reopen partially as early as tomorrow, Thursday. This is based on the latest reports.
The increasingly deteriorated bridge has been completely closed since last Monday, disrupting tram traffic, cyclists, and pedestrians. The closure also affected vehicles crossing underneath the 245-meter-long structure. Following inspections revealing an increasing number of cracks and concerns about its stability, demolition of the bridge commenced on Saturday.
Despite ongoing demolition and construction work, tram services will resume tomorrow, allowing isolation in the affected area to end. Emergency services, including the police and rescue services, will also regain access towards Treskowallee or Edisonstraße. Safety personnel will manage barricades during emergency situations, enabling rescue, firefighting, and police vehicles to pass through the track connection.
Tram line M17 will operate between Blockdammweg and Schöneweide every ten minutes, beginning Thursday morning, and switching to regular operation as early as Saturday. Pedestrian and cyclist traffic between Treskowallee and Edisonstraße will also be reinstated with safety measures in place, taking into account the absence of installed traffic lights at the intersection.
While the reopening of the bridge is a significant step in returning to normal transit in the area, motor vehicle traffic is expected to remain restricted for a longer period. The authorities aim to ease motor traffic around June 6, 2025, depending on the progress of construction and weather conditions, with full demolition and clearing of the site expected to be completed by late June.
The phased reopening approach focuses on ensuring safety while restoring critical transit and emergency routes in Berlin-Oberschöneweide. This move facilitates the resumption of essential services in the area during the ongoing demolition and construction process.
- The community policy regarding transportation in Berlin-Oberschöneweide should prioritize the safety of all residents, considering the phased reopening of the Wuhlheide Bridge will allow for partial tram services, while motor vehicle traffic remains restricted.
- In light of the resumption of tram services and the easing of restrictions on transportation routes in Berlin-Oberschöneweide, the employment policy for various industries such as finance, transportation, and construction may need to address staffing adjustments or contingency plans to accommodate these changes, ensuring a seamless transition as the demolition and reconstruction continue.
