Germany's fastest bridge rebuild uses record-breaking 42m prefab sections

A new motorway bridge in Oberhausen is being built in record time using an innovative technique. Instead of the usual 24 months, construction will take just seven months. The method involves extra-long prefabricated sections, setting a new standard for German infrastructure projects.

The old bridge was demolished in January 2023. By July 2023, the first section of the replacement is set to open. This rapid progress comes from using prefabricated components measuring 42 metres in length—the longest ever used in Germany, surpassing the previous 35-metre limit.

Fewer connections are needed with longer sections, drastically cutting construction time. The technique was developed by Theo Reddemann of the construction firm Echterhoff. His approach also reduces noise and minimises damage from water or structural movement. The Federal Transport Ministry approved the method, eager for solutions to Germany's bridge crisis. Around 16,000 federal bridges need urgent renovation or replacement due to poor condition or overload. With an estimated 130,000 bridges nationwide (including municipal ones), the problem is widespread. Recent collapses in Dresden and Berlin highlight the urgency of the situation.

The Oberhausen project demonstrates how new techniques can speed up bridge repairs. With fewer joints and faster assembly, the method could ease delays on other critical infrastructure projects. The ministry's support suggests wider adoption may follow if the trial succeeds.