Mülheim Bridge in Cologne: Finally passable again after a long closure!

Mülheim Bridge in Cologne: Finally passable again after a long closure!

After a long dry spell, the Mülheim Bridge in Cologne is open to traffic again. From today, July 10, 2025, drivers can finally drive over the bridge in one lane in the direction of Mülheim again. That divides them Review with. This move is the result of a 17-month complete lockdown that began in February 2024. The bridge is now available in both directions again, but passage remains limited to one lane, especially in the direction of Niehl.

The comprehensive renovation of the approximately one kilometer long bridge has been underway since 2018. The costs, originally estimated at 164 million euros, have now reached a shocking rise to around 500 million euros. Completion of the work, which has been repeatedly delayed, is now expected in 2028, a significant departure from the initial timelines.

Progress and challenges

A lot of work had to be carried out on the way to reopening. In particular, the cross beams at the end of the Mülheim Bridge had to be repaired during nighttime closures. The city of Cologne describes these measures as essential for the overall modernization of the bridge. This is also proven by the WDR, which points out that this work can only be carried out without vehicle traffic.

Traffic was rerouted several times during the renovation phase, with the Zoo Bridge serving as an alternative route. Not only were motorists redirected during the night-time closures, pedestrians and cyclists were also able to use the bridge at any time, meaning access options were largely retained.

A look into the future

Despite the return to the partially passable Mülheim Bridge, the renovation process remains a challenge. Damage to the structure that was more severe than expected requires additional and extensive repairs. This realization leads to repeated discussions about renovation costs and the need for better inventory analyzes before construction work. The city of Cologne plans to take these aspects into account more in the future in order to avoid similar problems.

With the renovation work scheduled to be completed by mid-2026 and the city council's possible approval of the rising costs in May, the issue of the Mülheim Bridge remains a hot topic in Cologne city politics. Those too 24Rhine reports that the city of Cologne is offering guided tours to promote understanding of the work and to give citizens insights into the renovation and its necessity.