The Offenbachstrasse Cycle Bridge in Munich, Germany, designed by Knight Architects in collaboration with WTM Engineers, has opened to the public.
Commissioned by Stadt München (City of Munich), the bridge was opened by Dr.-Ing. Jeanne-Marie Ehbauer, director of the city’s construction department, and mobility officer Georg Dunkel in an official ceremony on 16 May.
The bridge was delivered by consulting engineers WTM Engineers München with bridge designer Knight Architects as concept guardian.
Knight Architects was directly appointed for the bridge design concept by WTM Engineers and was selected for its human-centric approach to design. The project was designed between 2015 and 2024.
The new bridge is part of the City of Munich’s plans to build a city-wide active mobility network with a central focus on cycle superhighways, providing a continuous cycle connection from the city centre to the western outskirts along the city’s main railway corridors.
Managing director of WTM Engineers München GmbH, Dr. Otto Wurzer, said: “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 liveability.
“The new pedestrian and cycle bridge will convince residents and users of its minimalist elegance as well as its distinct functionality.”
The bridge will form an integral part of the cycle superhighway network once subsequent stages of the scheme have been delivered.
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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.
The bridge sits above the major Offenbachstrasse and will enable cyclists and pedestrians from the east of Munich’s Laim district to cross the busy road without disrupting vehicular travel towards the Munich Laim S-Bahn rail station.
Director of department of public construction of the City of Munich, Dr.-Ing. Jeanne-Marie Ehbauer, 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.”
Achievements and innovations in active travel will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations are open now! Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector
