Bremen faces a major infrastructure overhaul as plans progress to replace the aging Stephanibrücke with a new cable-stayed bridge featuring three traffic lanes in each direction, with construction slated to begin no earlier than 2030, according to project documentation from the Autobahn GmbH.
The Stephanibrücke serves as the final road bridge crossing the Weser River before it flows into the North Sea, carrying approximately 110,000 vehicles daily, including roughly 6,400 heavy goods vehicles exceeding 7.5 tons. According to a planning document prepared for the city’s deputation for mobility, construction, and urban development, the replacement project will present a substantial intervention in local traffic flow and the performance of Bremen’s primary road network.
Project planners have evaluated a draft feasibility study compiled by the Autobahn GmbH, which identifies a cable-stayed design as the preferred variant. A similar structural approach is currently utilized in Bremen along the A281 near the Airport-Stadt district. Municipal planners note that this design features a relatively slender deck plate, a characteristic intended to satisfy regional flood protection requirements while minimizing disruptions to motorists during the active construction phase.
Design Plans and Integration for Cyclists and Pedestrians
Under current proposals outlined in the draft study, the new bridge will incorporate dedicated infrastructure for non-motorized traffic directly into the main structure. While the existing bridge accommodates pedestrians and cyclists via pathways situated beneath the main roadway—serving as part of the Wallring premium bicycle route—planners ultimately rejected the alternative of constructing a separate, standalone bridge for non-motorized transit.
The structure will measure three lanes per direction, with the rightmost lanes functioning as continuous deceleration and acceleration zones. These lanes are designed to facilitate smooth merging at the access points located immediately before and after the crossing. Integrating these paths into the primary structure aims to streamline transit without necessitating a separate parallel river crossing.
Managing Traffic with an Interim Bridge and 2028 Repairs
Given the heavy reliance on the corridor, city officials and project managers are preparing measures to prevent severe congestion while the existing 1967 structure is demolished and rebuilt. Plans currently include the installation of a temporary replacement bridge to maintain cross-river connectivity throughout the duration of the construction work.
Because construction will not commence until at least 2030—partially to allow the planned Weser tunnel along the A281 to open first as an alternative route—authorities have scheduled interim maintenance work on the existing bridge for 2028. According to the construction department, this rehabilitation will extend the operational lifespan of the current structure by approximately twelve years, bridging the gap until the new cable-stayed crossing opens.
Next Steps and Official Review
The Deputation for Mobility, Construction, and Urban Development is reviewing the draft feasibility study and the preliminary design parameters. Further updates regarding detailed traffic management phases and exact construction schedules will be released as municipal committees advance the planning process.
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