A100
Berlin’s fire brigade has to drive detours due to ailing bridge
09.04.2025 – 01:36 a.m.Reading time: 1 min.
If seconds count: Berlin rescue vehicles have to drive detours due to the blocked Halene bridge. This can become a problem for people in need.
The traffic problems on the A100 in the western Berlin now also have an impact on the work of the fire brigade. The Halene bridge used as a diversion route after the blocking of the ring railway bridge may only be used by vehicles up to a weight of 3.5 tons. For the heavier fire trucks and ambulances of the fire brigade, this means that you have to take alternative routes.
This could lead to longer travel times, Vinzenz Kasch from the Berlin fire brigade explained to the RBB “evening show”. However, according to Autobahn GmbH, the strict weight limitation is essential.
“We want to keep the last north-south axis of Berlin into operation and therefore the rigorous ton limit,” said Ronald Normann, director of the responsible Autobahn branch northeast, in the “evening show”. Although individual heavy vehicles would initially cause no problems, permanent loads can lead to damage to the building. “And we want to prevent that,” emphasized Normann. “If the bridge fails, the detours, the traffic jams are still much, much larger.”
Autobahn GmbH had completely closed the Ringbahnbrücke on the Dreieck radio tower for car traffic due to a crack in the structure in mid -March. The traffic north is led by the opposite lane, two lanes are available to the south. The demolition of the bridge is scheduled to begin this week.
