Friday, March 28
Ringbahn gridlock: A100 bridge closure halts S-Bahn traffic
The BVG’s latest strike might have ended, but Berlin’s commuters are facing fresh chaos. The Ringbahn has been disrupted following critical damage to the A100’s Funkturm interchange bridge. S-Bahn services were halted between Halensee and Westend after experts deemed the bridge unsafe, necessitating urgent support measures before demolition. This shutdown impacts the S41, S42, and S46 lines, leaving key stations like Messe/Nord and Westkreuz inaccessible.
A week after the A100 bridge’s sudden closure due to widening cracks, the S-Bahn interruption adds to the city’s traffic troubles. Transport Senator Ute Bonde emphasised the closure as an essential measure for public safety. Replacement buses now run between Halensee and Westend, withthe S-Bahn network recommending alternative U-Bahn routes.
The bridge, set for complete demolition and reconstruction, prompted Autobahn GmbH to expedite the tender process. While northbound A100 traffic has partially resumed, the S-Bahn’s indefinite closure underscores the bridge’s precarious state. The demolition, expected to last three months, marks the beginning of a long reconstruction phase, casting uncertainty over future commute times.
