Drilling Work to Commence on Wittelsbacher Bridge: Traffic Disruptions Expected
Munich, September 13 – Starting Monday, September 14, and continuing until approximately November 8, exploratory drilling will be conducted in the green areas surrounding Munich’s Wittelsbacher Bridge. These operations will result in traffic restrictions on the Wittelsbacher Bridge itself, in adjacent roadways, and on pathways within the green spaces around the bridgeheads and in the flood plain area beneath the bridge.
Crucial Preparations for Bridge Renovation
The drilling, managed by the Department of Civil Engineering, is a preparatory step for the comprehensive renovation of the bridge structure, which is anticipated to begin in late 2029. The primary objective of these borings is to investigate the subsurface within the construction area, gathering vital information about the geological conditions. Soil and rock samples will be collected to analyze their properties, composition, and water permeability. This data is essential for identifying potential risks and ensuring a safe and efficient planning process for the upcoming renovation.
Weeks of Drilling Operations and Parking Restrictions
Throughout the drilling period, parking spaces on Schyrenstraße, in the immediate vicinity of the bridge, will be unavailable for a length of 25 meters. This area is required for the construction site setup. Further traffic restrictions will be implemented progressively, depending on the specific drilling locations being worked on.
Phased Traffic Management
From approximately September 28 to October 5, drilling is scheduled for the Wittelsbacherstraße area. During this time, the pedestrian and cycle paths on the city-side Isar balconies will be merged.
Subsequently, work will continue across the Wittelsbacher Bridge, utilizing a crane positioned on the central island of the Isar. Concurrently, exploratory drilling will also take place in the adjacent green areas around Schyrenplatz, on the opposite side of the bridge.
Impact on Cyclists and Pedestrians
From approximately October 5 to October 9, the bus lane (north side) and the adjoining cycle and pedestrian path will be inaccessible. Pedestrians will still be able to cross the bridge on the opposite side. Pedestrians approaching from Humboldtstraße are advised to switch to the upstream side at the Claude-Lorrain-Straße intersection. For cyclists heading into the city, a dedicated lane will initially be provided before they are directed onto the vehicle lane and will share the road with motorized traffic until the end of the bridge.
Motorized traffic is not expected to be directly affected by these measures. However, the Department of Civil Engineering urges all affected road users to exercise caution and consideration, particularly towards pedestrians and cyclists, during the temporary traffic diversions in the heavily frequented areas around the bridge.
If the schedule proceeds as planned, exploratory drilling in the Isar flood plains beneath the bridge will commence from October 9 onwards. During the work in the green areas and the flood plains, individual work sites will be marked and secured sequentially. While the work is ongoing, some of the affected pathways may also be temporarily closed.
