Bergshäuser Bridge
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Reinforcement of the A44 Viaduct
Many bridges built in Germany in the 1960s and 1970s are now considered to be in poor condition. The enormous increase in heavy traffic since that time has taken a toll on many bridge structures. This includes the 700-meter-long Bergshäuser Bridge, which carries the A44 over the Fulda Valley.
The two bridge structures for the two directions of traffic were built as steel truss structures in 1962 and 1972 and feature a lightweight steel deck as an orthotropic slab [1]. This deck has been subjected to fatigue due to heavy-duty traffic, making traffic restrictions as well as regular inspections and repairs necessary [2].
A replacement for both bridge structures—one capable of handling future traffic volumes and designed to address noise protection for residents—is not expected before 2033 [3].
Until then, the old bridge must remain operational. One suitable measure is to reinforce the orthotropic deck slab with a concrete overlay—just a few centimeters thick—made of ultra-high-strength fiber-reinforced concrete. This concrete overlay ensures better distribution of wheel loads from heavy traffic and thus supports the steel structure, which is over 50 years old.
The federal government’s Autobahn GmbH has commissioned the Institute for Structural Engineering at the University of Kassel to address outstanding questions regarding such a reinforcement of the Bergshäuser Bridge. As part of this research project, the Department of Structural Engineering at the University of Kassel, in collaboration with the departments of Construction Materials and Structural Engineering, will conduct numerous laboratory tests in the coming months.
We thank Autobahn GmbH for awarding us this contract and for the constructive discussions during the development of the research plan, and we look forward to the project and the challenges it presents.
[1] Hessenschau (Hessischer Rundfunk) September 27, 2024: “What’s the status of the Bergshausen viaduct on the A44?”
[2] HNA Hessische/Niedersächsische Allgemeine December 10, 2025: “300 Sensors to Monitor the Bergshausen Bridge Around the Clock”
[3] HNA Hessische/Niedersächsische Allgemeine August 31, 2026: “Bergshäuser Bridge: Construction to Begin as Late as 2030?”