Brandenburg's bridge without a connection: waiting for the next train!

Brandenburg's bridge without a connection: waiting for the next train!

In Wust, a district of Brandenburg an der Havel, a newly built bridge is causing a stir. Although the 65 meter long and 6.20 meter wide overpass has been completed since October 2023, it remains unused because there are no access roads. Drivers traveling on the important Federal Highway 1 from Brandenburg to Potsdam still have to expect long waiting times at the nearby railway crossing as the railway gates are often closed. Many report waiting times between 20 and 30 minutes, which makes the daily commute a test of patience. A driver comments: “Welcome to the traffic wonderland of Brandenburg-Wust.” The bridge that was supposed to make it easier for those affected to wait is now standing in nothing and seems to be an example of failed planning.

Mockery and scorn over the bridge

The situation even received attention in an ARD satirical show. The program “extra3” describes the bridge in the “real madness” section and describes the railway crossing as a place where you can “escape the hectic everyday life”. Drivers are confronted with malicious comments such as “free deceleration courses”. Dirk Stieger from the Free Voters reports that the construction of the road connections has been out to tender since September and the work is expected to begin in March 2025. The entire construction period could take until fall 2026 before the bridge can finally be used. The entire construction of the project, which will cost around 17 million euros, will be financed by the federal government. Until then, the level crossing will remain a nuisance for commuters in the region.

As in the reporting by rbb24 and Berlin newspaper To read, the bridge remains a symbol of failed planning and a challenge for road users who are waiting for the situation to actually improve.