Renovation of Marode Weser Bridges in Bremen is currently in progress
In the heart of Bremen, the city's iconic Weser Bridges are undergoing significant renovation work. While the Autobahn bridge across the Weser River is currently undergoing a much-needed overhaul, causing noticeable traffic disruptions, particularly in the southbound direction with delays extending up to 10-12 kilometers [1], the status of the Wilhelm-Kaisen Bridge and Bürgermeister-Smidt Bridge remains somewhat unclear.
As of June/July 2025, there is no specific publicly available information detailing the repair or future renovation plans for the Wilhelm-Kaisen Bridge and Bürgermeister-Smidt Bridge. The renovation work on the Autobahn bridge appears to be the primary focus at the moment [1].
However, it is worth noting that the Wilhelm-Kaisen Bridge in Bremen's city centre is scheduled for comprehensive construction work as early as mid-August. This work is necessary due to the urgent need for renovation, with the aim to increase the load-bearing capacity of the bridge [2]. The construction is expected to be completed by spring, ensuring that it will not affect the Bürgermeister-Smidt Bridge [3].
During the construction, temporary barriers may be set up for cyclists and pedestrians, but the load test on the Bürgermeister-Smidt Bridge on August 31 will not involve any temporary barriers for these groups [4]. On this day, the bridge will undergo a comprehensive load test, with four trams driving over the bridge to simulate various scenarios during the test [5].
The Bürgermeister-Smidt Bridge will remain open to buses, but trams will remain closed. The department of streets and traffic has warned of possible disruptions for cyclists and pedestrians during this period [6].
As for the Bürgermeister-Smidt Bridge, no new traffic restrictions have been mentioned for January or March 2026, and the construction work is not currently planned or ongoing [7].
In January and March 2026, further restrictions on traffic are planned, but specific details about these restrictions are not yet available [8]. The Wilhelm-Kaisen Bridge will be fully closed from November 7 to 9 [9], and the Bürgermeister-Smidt Bridge will be fully closed on August 31 for the load test [10].
For detailed updates or plans for the Wilhelm-Kaisen Bridge and Bürgermeister-Smidt Bridge, it is advisable to consult Bremen's city infrastructure or transportation department announcements directly.
[1] [Source] [2] [Source] [3] [Source] [4] [Source] [5] [Source] [6] [Source] [7] [Source] [8] [Source] [9] [Source] [10] [Source]
In the context of Bremen's city infrastructure, the Autobahn bridge's renovation appears to be the primary focus, while the renovation plans for Wilhelm-Kaisen Bridge and Bürgermeister-Smidt Bridge remain unclear as of June/July 2025. However, the Wilhelm-Kaisen Bridge has an upcoming comprehensive construction work scheduled for mid-August, affecting the traffic on both bridges until spring 2026.
