Tram Service Potential Restoration on Wuhlheide Bridge Starting Day After Tomorrow - Tomorrow's forecast likely includes the resumption of tram services.
Starting tomorrow, Thursday, officials in Berlin-Oberschöneweide aim to reopen the structurally compromised Wuhlheide Bridge for trams, emergency services, and pedestrians. This decision follows extensive inspections revealing an increasing number of cracks along the entire length of the 245-meter-long structure.
The bridge's closure has caused significant disruptions to both road and rail traffic since the end of April, affecting several tram lines. Trams have been operating in an isolated manner, with no connection to the rest of the network on the Köpenicker side beyond the bridge.
The plan includes resuming tram services gradually, while ensuring safety through staged testing and controlled access. Emergency services, including police and rescue vehicles, will also be permitted to travel through the bridge area toward Treskowallee or Edisonstraße. Safety personnel will manage crossing points and allow emergency vehicles to pass through the track connection in case of an emergency.
The Berlin Transport Authority plans to start with a shuttle service on Thursday morning and switch to regular operation by Saturday at the latest. Pedestrian and cyclist access is also being restored along the route from Treskowallee to Edisonstraße, despite the fact that traffic lights are not yet operational at key intersections. Personnel will monitor movement to maintain safety and order for non-motorized traffic alongside the resumed tram operations.
Although partial access is improving, alternative transit routes remain in place for other tram lines until full normal schedules can be restored. The full reopening of all tram lines in the area and the resumption of regular schedules are expected by Saturday, assuming successful testing and safety clearances.
The bridge area remains under partial construction, with ongoing work to ensure structural integrity before a complete reopening for all vehicles can be achieved. Initial improvements for general vehicular traffic are anticipated as early as June 6, 2025, but the full reopening depends on the progress and results of the ongoing construction and safety verification processes.
- In alignment with the envisaged community policy, the authorities in Berlin-Oberschöneweide are working towards establishing employment opportunities for additional safety personnel to manage crossing points and monitor traffic during the gradual reopening of the Wuhlheide Bridge.
- The decision to reopen the Wuhlheide Bridge involves close collaboration with various sectors, such as transportation, public-transit, industry, and finance, ensuring a balanced approach towards mitigating risks and preserving long-term services while facilitating the smooth operation of the bridge for trams, emergency vehicles, and pedestrians.
