Rodenkirchen Bridge, Cologne

The Rodenkirchen Bridge is a suspension bridge that spans the Rhine river in Cologne. It was completed in 1954, with a main span of 378 meters, and is a vital transportation link for the southern section of the Cologne Beltway. The bridge was originally designed by Paul Bonatz and planned by Fritz Leonhardt for the Autobahn Cologne-Aachen, and was constructed between 1938 and 1941.

Unfortunately, during World War II, the bridge was destroyed in an airstrike on January 14, 1945. The rebuilding process took place between 1952 and 1954, with the original pylons being reused for the reconstruction. However, due to steel shortages during the post-war period, the new bridge was built using only 3350 tons of steel, as opposed to the original 6100 tons.

The increasing traffic on the bridge necessitated an expansion, which was completed between 1990 and 1995. The expansion included the addition of an equal bridge to the existing one, and it has been in use ever since.

Why You Should Visit:
A good bridge to take photos of the city center and the river or just to enjoy the view.

Tip:
There is a path for cyclists and a staircase for pedestrians.
Not far away there are ships for research, as well as eateries and a rowing club.