A bridge intended to form a key component in the City of Munich’s shift towards sustainable urban transport has opened to the public.
The Offenbachstrasse Cycle Bridge is part of the German city’s plans to build a city-wide active mobility network with a central focus on so-called cycle superhighways.
These are intended to provide a continuous cycle connection from the city centre to the western outskirts along the city’s main railway corridors.
The bridge will form an integral part of the cycle superhighway network once subsequent stages of the scheme have been delivered.
Commissioned by Stadt München (City of Munich), the bridge was opened by Dr -Ing Jeanne-Marie Ehbauer, director of the city’s 4,000-strong Construction Department, and mobility officer, Georg Dunkel in an official ceremony earlier this year.
The bridge was delivered by consulting engineers WTM Engineers München with leading bridge designer Knight Architects as concept guardian.
Ehbauer, director, Department of Public Construction of the City of Munich, said: “The new barrier-free bridge spans Offenbachstrasse without piers over a length of 22 metres. It connects the centre of Pasing with the new neighbourhoods that have been built east of Offenbachstrasse in the recent years.
“The bridge enables the many new residents to cross the busy Offenbachstrasse safely and quickly. In addition, it is a civil engineering structure that is as sophisticated as it is designed for longevity, expanding and enriching Munich’s bridge portfolio.”
The bridge has been designed by Knight Architects and WTM Engineers to increase the attractiveness and ease of active mobility, providing a safe, visually engaging and barrier-free link between Munich’s west and centre for both cyclists and pedestrians.
By widening the bridge towards its abutments, space has been created for two small plazas with sufficient space and lighting for those on foot to select the appropriate route without impeding cycle traffic. Two sets of stairs and ramps are also incorporated to provide convenient access to the north-south route ensuring the bridge multiplies the connectivity options.
Knight Architects and WTM Engineers optimised the geometry for construction with the help of a parametric model, which helped reduce the complexity without compromising on the design aspirations. The choice of steel for the main span ensures that large parts of the structure can be recycled at the end of its life.
Bart Halaczek, director, Knight Architects, said: “The Offenbachstrasse Cycle bridge plays an instrumental role in Munich’s ambitions to boost cycling and encourage other sustainable and active transport choices for the city’s residents.
“This progressive approach reflects Knight Architects’ belief that good infrastructure should drive connectivity and improve the quality of life for the communities it serves. We are very pleased to see this important phase of Munich’s cycle superhighway come to fruition.”
Dr Otto Wurzer, managing director, WTM Engineers München GmbH, added: “Beside its function as a missing link in Munich´s network of bicycle routes, the new bridge is also an impactful contribution to urban planning and development.
“Residential areas, already existing or newly developed in the neighbourhood during the last years, are now connected by infrastructure of high livability. The new pedestrian and cycle bridge will convince residents and users of its minimalist elegance as well as its distinct functionality.”
Main image: The Offenbachstrasse Cycle Bridge in Munich, Germany
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