Bremen's Mayor-Smidt Bridge reopens for trams after 18-month closure

Tram services across Bremen's Mayor-Smidt Bridge will restart on Monday, April 13, after an 18-month suspension. The reopening follows a successful load test in August 2025, confirming the structure's safety under current stress levels. Several key routes, including lines 1, 4S, and 8, will return to their original paths across the Weser River.

The bridge closure began in late 2023, forcing trams onto alternative routes. During this period, engineers conducted thorough assessments to ensure the structure could handle regular traffic again. A load test last August showed stress levels remained within safe limits, clearing the way for reopening.

From April 13, trams on lines 1 and N1 will cross the Mayor-Smidt Bridge once more. Line 1, the busiest in the network, will run every 7.5 minutes during peak hours. Line 4S, previously suspended due to the closure, will also resume service, while line 8 will restore its direct connection from Huchting to Kuhlenkampffallee. Lines 4 and 6 will see more frequent crossings over the nearby Wilhelm-Kaisen Bridge. To maintain safety, a 30 km/h speed limit will stay in place for all vehicles on the Mayor-Smidt Bridge. Buses and trams must also keep a minimum distance of 100 metres from each other while crossing. Though the bridge is reopening, no immediate plans for major reinforcement or repairs have been announced. Financing details for future work remain unclear, and planning will continue alongside the resumption of services.

The reopening of the Mayor-Smidt Bridge brings back key tram routes, easing travel for passengers across Bremen. While services return to normal, long-term maintenance plans for the structure are still under discussion. The 30 km/h speed limit and vehicle distance rules will remain in effect for ongoing safety.