The new Gertrauden Bridge in Berlin

The competition for the replacement of the New Gertrauden Bridge in Berlin was decided in April: The Berlin engineering office sbp – schlaich bergermann partner was able to convince the jury with its design. Bettina Jarasch, then Senator for the Environment, Transport, Climate Protection and Consumer Protection, called the winning design “a real traffic turnaround bridge”. Read here to find out how the bridge is intended to reorganize traffic, how the adjacent Spittelmarkt will be redesigned and what improvements are hoped for.

In April 2023, Berlin-based engineering firm sbp – schlaich bergermann partner won the competition to design the new Gertrauden Bridge together with SINAI Gesellschaft von Landschaftsarchitekten mbH, OBERMEYER Infrastruktur GmbH & Co. and ENGUITA & LASSO DE LA VEGA. The jury selected the design from seven entries. It was a Europe-wide, non-open competition for a replacement bridge near Spittelmarkt, as the existing Gertrauden Bridge from 1978 has structural defects and deficits.

The winning project impressed the jury with its proposal for a new bridge that also takes into account the design of the adjacent Spittelmarkt. The new bridge is to have a reduced span width, creating an elegant structure. This significantly narrower new Gertrauden Bridge appears light and slender.

The jury of nine architects, engineers and representatives of the relevant authorities explained their decision as follows: “The selected concept proposes to free Spittelmarkt from all the dividing embankments that were created during the car-friendly expansion. This will make this central square much nicer, greener and more suitable for everyday use. It was right to make not only a new bridge, but the square as a whole a planning task. The concept impresses with the improvement of traffic relations and takes the listed Gertrauden Bridge into particular consideration. The reduced bridge construction of the new replacement structure is characterized by its slenderness combined with a reduced span width.”

According to Senator Bettina Jarasch, the winning design, which prevailed by a clear margin, can enhance the entire urban space. Previously, the Gertrauden Bridge had appeared rather inhospitable, but now a new level of accessibility and barrier-free access is to be created. Above all, it is a “real traffic turnaround bridge” that will accommodate the streetcar, offer attractive cycle paths and footpaths and reduce car traffic. The Senator also expressed her delight that the winning design comes from Berlin.

The existing Gertrauden Bridge, built in 1978, has structural defects and deficits in its load-bearing capacity. It is therefore necessary to replace it quickly. The competition participants were asked to propose solutions for a functional, economical, attractively designed and sustainable bridge that blends in with the urban planning and architecture of the historic center. In addition, an interdisciplinary approach was required that would create a coherent reorganization of traffic connections for pedestrians and cyclists and offer high-quality, attractive open spaces.

In May 2023, the winning design and the other results were presented in the atrium of the Senate Department for the Environment, Mobility, Consumer and Climate Protection in Berlin. The existing Gertrauden Bridge is expected to be demolished in 2025 and replaced by a narrow new bridge. Immediate measures such as restricting heavy goods traffic were already taken in 2019 to ensure the bridge can continue to be used safely. The new bridge with a span of 35 meters will cost the state of Berlin around 40 million euros.

Read more: Berlin’s historic center is a constant source of discussion, for example with regard to the future of the Rathausforum.