Renovation of the Mülheim Bridge: Cost explosion and construction delays!

Renovation of the Mülheim Bridge: Cost explosion and construction delays!

Cologne is once again in the bird's eye view of stagnating construction projects. The renovation of the Mülheim Bridge is becoming a financial and time-consuming effort. Originally estimated to cost 188 million euros, the total has increased to an astonishing 498.2 million euros. The plan to reopen the bridge to traffic by the end of 2026 will now be postponed to the end of March 2028, as Review online reported. This postponement not only affects the planning, but also the already considerable additional costs, which have increased by 196.7 million euros.

The reasons are varied: undetected defects, rising wage and material prices as well as additional demands from construction companies contribute to the difficulties. Already in the second of five construction phases, the costs of the first two phases amount to 103.7 million euros. The structural problems uncovered so far include, among other things, the unexplored lignite layers in the bank area and a rotten track structure belonging to the Cologne transport company, which requires mandatory measures for a complete rebuild.

Impact on public transport

The delays in the renovation of the Mülheim Bridge also have direct consequences for tram lines 13 and 18. It was planned to be put back into operation in April, but this is now uncertain. Until regular operations are actually restored, replacement rail services will be necessary and will remain in place until at least the end of June. At WDR It also says that an extension of the replacement bus service until the end of September or even December is realistic if the bridge cannot be completed on time.

The tracks have already been laid, but definitive fastening and adjustment is still pending. The installation of the overhead lines is also not completed. The ADAC has warned that these delays could result in significant follow-up costs, estimated at around 4 million euros, especially for public transport. In addition, further costs for vehicle traffic are to be expected due to inconvenient detours and loss of time.

Cologne in transition

However, these developments are only a small piece of the mosaic in a larger picture that is characterized by many major projects in Cologne. The city is changing, with a variety of projects that will permanently change the cityscape. This includes the north-south light rail, one of the largest urban development projects in Germany, with the aim of improving connections and reducing car traffic. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2028 at the earliest. Also in planning: a new district in the Kreuzfeld area for up to 8,000 people, as well as the conversion of the Deutz harbor into a living and working area, such as 24rhine summarizes.

Given these circumstances, it is inevitable that the construction work around the Mülheim Bridge will prove to be an ongoing challenge. The focus is now on both resolving the existing deficiencies and finding cost-effective solutions for the city and its residents, while at the same time Cologne is setting the course for the future.