On behalf of the federal government, state, and city, HEBERGER is modernizing the highway in Ludwigshafen

Clearly visible from the end of January, work will commence on constructing the new bridge at Hochstraße Süd. A specialized rotary drilling rig will progress from east to west, installing a total of 170 bored piles over a 530-meter stretch. “We are on schedule,” emphasizes Mayor Jutta Steinruck. By early 2026, Hochstraße Süd, with the new bridge and the also-modernized Weiße Hochstraße, is expected to reopen fully for traffic.

Work begins near the Faktorhaus. The centerpiece of the upcoming tasks is a drilling rig specifically designed for pile work. Expected to arrive in Ludwigshafen on the night of January 16 via an approved heavy transport, the rig will be accompanied by experts from the construction company and Ludwigshafen’s project company (BPG). After being assembled over the following days near the Faktorhaus, it will reach a height of approximately 26 meters. The drilling process will reach depths of up to 20 meters with a diameter of 1.5 meters, operating at a speed of 37 revolutions per minute. The pile work is expected to take about a year to complete. On these piles, massive foundation slabs will be constructed to ensure the stability of the new bridge.

Bored pile work is essential in construction, particularly for deep foundations supporting structures like bridges or high-rises. This method is used when traditional foundation techniques, such as shallow foundations, fail to handle high loads or poor soil conditions effectively. The process supports foundations from below through deep drilling, creating a solid structure that transfers the bridge’s load to stable soil layers, distributing traffic and structural loads more effectively.

The city administration and project company will monitor all environmental aspects during construction. If significant dust arises, it will be managed with water sprinkling. Noise levels throughout the work will comply with legal limits, with contractors employing low-noise construction techniques.

Mayor Steinruck highlights Ludwigshafen’s effort for the region: “Building a completely new bridge in the densely populated city center is a logistical and technical challenge. The upcoming work represents a milestone in rebuilding Hochstraße Süd, and we are pleased that everything is on schedule. While efforts will be made to minimize the impact on residents, such a large-scale project inevitably involves some noise and dust. We ask for patience and understanding from all residents. Just as we successfully managed the demolition of Pilzhochstraße, we aim to tackle this project with transparency, engagement, and dialogue.”

Residents will be kept regularly informed through mailings and invitations to site tours. Known contact person Dieter Jung will once again be on-site to address resident concerns in his well-established manner.

“The scale of this project, both in terms of execution and financing, is significant for Ludwigshafen,” adds Deputy Mayor and Treasurer Andreas Schwarz. “We are investing in a central traffic axis for the entire region, ensuring readiness for future traffic demands. A commuter bike path under Hochstraße Süd will also connect the main train station with the Konrad-Adenauer Bridge. Thanks to city council approval, planning can continue while work on the new bridge progresses and Weiße Hochstraße undergoes modernization.”

Preparatory work, including removing old foundations, setting up the site, laying utility lines with assistance from Technische Werke Ludwigshafen (TWL) and Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Neckar (rnv), and erecting fences, paved the way for drilling operations. Over 1,800 unexploded ordnance surveys, totaling 19,000 meters of drilling, were conducted.

Simultaneously, modernization of Weiße Hochstraße is underway, starting near Berliner Straße and progressing toward the main train station. Works include upgrading drainage systems, replacing bridge bearings, renewing traffic lanes, guardrails, and repairing concrete and joints to withstand increasing traffic loads.

“Visible progress is being made. The reconstruction of Hochstraße Süd is underway, adhering to legal frameworks. Two years from now, it will be fully operational. A comprehensive financing package with federal and state support has been secured. Starting in 2024, the Helmut-Kohl-Allee project will also commence, with plans for a new urban quarter connected by this ground-level street,” concluded Mayor Steinruck.

Facts and Figures:
The technical specifications of the new bridge on Hochstraße Süd (replacement construction):

• Length: 530 meters on both sides, plus ramps
• Area: 12,600 square meters
• Construction: 18 rows of piers with 43 columns, 5 abutments on 39 foundations
• Material: 20,500 cubic meters of concrete, 3,100 tons of reinforcement steel, 570 tons of prestressed steel

Total cost of Hochstraße Süd (replacement construction and modernization of Weiße Hochstraße):

• Construction costs: approximately 120 million euros
• Demolition costs: 7 million euros
• Planning costs: 12 million euros (Planning costs are not subsidized.)
  City of Ludwigshafen’s share: approximately 31 million euros (19 million euros construction costs plus 12 million euros planning costs). Share of federal and state governments: 108 million euros.

Quelle: www.ludwigshafen.de