The City of Munich is investing up to 50 million euros in the refurbishment of Hackerbrücke—and in the process is asking a key question: will this prominent steel structure be permanently closed to car traffic in the future? On Tuesday, the construction committee unanimously paved the way for the repair work to begin. The start is planned for mid-2027, with the works expected to last about three years.
However, the precise start of construction also depends on the progress of the railway company’s billion-euro second S-Bahn trunk line project. According to the city administration, the plan is to also rebuild and expand the Hackerbrücke S-Bahn station during the bridge repairs.
The bridge between Arnulfstraße and Landsberger Straße is considered one of the city’s most famous structures—not only due to its history but also because in recent years it has become a popular gathering spot. Especially in the evenings, when people congregate on its steel trusses to watch the sunset, the location becomes one of the most vibrant in the city. Every year during Oktoberfest, thousands of visitors also use Hackerbrücke to walk from the S-Bahn station to the Theresienwiese fairgrounds.
The Structure’s Condition is Deteriorated
However, the structure’s condition is deteriorated. The city’s construction authority reports cracks, corrosion of steel reinforcement in the concrete, and spalling concrete. The load capacity has already been limited to 18 tons. The goal of the refurbishment is to restore the bridge’s load capacity to 30 tons—so that in the future, fire trucks or buses can also use this crossing.
The implementation will be handled by DB InfraGO, a subsidiary of the railway group. A prerequisite, however, is that the second S-Bahn trunk line construction proceeds according to plan. If there are delays there, the bridge repair will also be postponed.
Access for Pedestrians and Cyclists
To ensure that commuters and Oktoberfest visitors can still cross the 26 tracks in the direction of the main train station, the city’s construction authority intends to repair the two halves of the bridge sequentially. This way, pedestrians and cyclists will continue to be able to use Hackerbrücke. Car drivers, however, will have to accept a detour via the Donnersbergerbrücke or through the Paul-Heyse-Tunnel.
Construction Period to Serve as a Test Phase
According to the draft resolution, the construction period is to serve as a test phase. Traffic on and around the bridge will be monitored to determine whether a permanent closure to cars would be feasible. No decision has been made yet. However, the draft resolution indicates the city intends to specifically study the so-called potential for redistributing traffic flows. The results of this observation period are to be considered in the subsequent decision-making process.
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