The A42 federal highway is considered one of the main traffic arteries in the heart of the Ruhr area. As part of the expansion of the A43 motorway, the Autobahn GmbH is also expanding the section of the A42 at the Herne junction. In this context, two railway overpasses over the A42 are being replaced for Deutsche Bahn. The existing bridges are too short and would affect the planned expansion of the motorway. The solution: two new railway overpasses with a span of over 60 meters. Each were constructed parallel to the highway to minimize disruption to traffic flow. This approach means that sections of the highway only have to be closed during the installation weekend of each replacement bridge. Additionally, the designed steel tied arch bridge was further optimized, resulting in nearly half of the steel weight being saved. This significant weight reduction not only contributes to a more economically efficient construction method but also to a more sustainable use of resources. Such an efficient bridge construction project is not only a significant step for Deutsche Bahn but also a significant step towards the modernization of transportation infrastructure in the Ruhr Area. We are proud to contribute our expertise to this.
