Berlin’s Decaying Bridges: Where the Most Construction Will Take Place in the Coming Years
Berlin, July 2, 2026 – Berlin plans numerous bridge construction projects until 2040. An analysis of the “Master Plan for Bridges Berlin” reveals which districts are particularly affected and highlights the major bridge projects currently in focus. The infographic shows in which Berlin districts the most bridge construction projects under state responsibility are planned until 2040. Marzahn-Hellersdorf, Treptow-Köpenick, Mitte, and Pankow lead the ranking.
In Berlin, the resilience of the city’s transport infrastructure in the coming years depends on many bridges. The “Master Plan for Bridges” shows that the need for renovation and replacement construction is not evenly distributed across the districts. The evaluation reveals a concentration of projects, especially in several East Berlin districts.
Berlin Bridges in the Ranking: Marzahn-Hellersdorf Leads
For this evaluation, duplicate measures and traffic sign bridges were removed from the master plan. Only the 1,047 bridge structures under state responsibility were considered. This explains why central projects, such as the Ringbahn Bridge, are not included in the list.
In Marzahn-Hellersdorf, the list still includes a remarkable 29 bridge structures. This is partly due to the numerous bridges along Märkische Allee, Landsberger Allee, and the Marzahn junction. This district is thus ahead of Treptow-Köpenick, where 24 bridges are affected.
Mitte and Pankow follow in third place with 23 bridge projects each. In Pankow, the Schönhauser Allee Bridge, Kniprodestraßenbrücke, Darßer Bridge, and Behmstraßenbrücke are on the list.
Bridge Projects by District (Master Plan 2025-2040)
| District | Replacement Construction | Maintenance | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marzahn-Hellersdorf | 25 | 4 | 29 |
| Treptow-Köpenick | 17 | 7 | 24 |
| Mitte | 10 | 13 | 23 |
| Pankow | 16 | 7 | 23 |
| Spandau | 8 | 10 | 18 |
| Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf | 9 | 5 | 14 |
| Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg | 8 | 5 | 13 |
| Reinickendorf | 4 | 8 | 12 |
| Neukölln | 1 | 9 | 10 |
| Lichtenberg | 9 | 1 | 10 |
| Tempelhof-Schöneberg | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| Steglitz-Zehlendorf | 4 | 4 | 8 |
The Mühlendamm Bridge in Mitte is currently receiving particular public attention. This structure is one of the most important Spree crossings in central Berlin and needs to be replaced much faster than originally planned. The background is the critical condition of the prestressed concrete structure: according to the Senate Department, there is a latent risk of prestressing steel fractures in a partial structure, which could necessitate an immediate closure in an emergency.
The Elsen Bridge between Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg and Treptow-Köpenick also remains a key project. According to the official project page, the estimated construction period ranges from 2020 to 2028. In February 2026, the project was in its third construction phase. In March 2026, traffic management was gradually converted to a 2+2 lane configuration. From mid-2026, after further work is completed, a 3+3 lane configuration should be possible.
Why East Berlin Stands Out for Bridges
The Marzahn junction clearly shows why Marzahn-Hellersdorf ranks so high. Landsberger Allee and Märkische Allee meet railway lines, tram systems, ramps, and several engineering structures there. The Senate Department describes the area as a traffic hub with numerous bridges and a pedestrian tunnel. Some structures are reportedly in poor condition, which is why the entire intersection area is being reorganized.
Treptow-Köpenick follows closely in the ranking. Many bridges there are connected to waterways, main roads, and connections in the southeast of Berlin. After the Wuhlheide Bridge was demolished overnight last year without replacement, the Pyramidenbrücke, Lange Brücke, and Köpenicker-Allee-Brücke are now in focus. The “Lange Brücke” connects Köpenick’s old town with Köllnische Vorstadt. Further details for the planned new construction will be presented shortly.
What the Bridge Ranking Reveals About Berlin’s Infrastructure
The Master Plan for Bridges 2025 to 2040 makes it clear that Berlin is not facing individual problem bridges but a broad infrastructure challenge. According to the Senate Department, 175 existing bridges require replacement construction. For another 125 bridge structures, there is a significant need for maintenance. However, traffic sign bridges and split bridge projects are included here.
The adjusted district evaluation primarily shows how the bridge structures under state responsibility are distributed across the city. The high number of corresponding projects in Marzahn-Hellersdorf, Treptow-Köpenick, and Pankow is striking. However, this does not directly imply that these districts have the greatest overall need for renovation in Berlin. Rather, the evaluation shows that these districts have a particularly large number of bridges for which the State of Berlin is responsible and which are to be maintained or replaced by 2040.
Source: Senate Department for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and Environment
