RWTH Campus Transformation Continues: Major Construction Site Unveiled on Turmstrasse

For the new construction of the Turmstrasse bridge, the city has communicated a change compared to the previous scheduling: It is still planned that the Turmstrasse bridge can be opened to pedestrians at the end of the year. There will also be an option for cyclists to cross the railway tracks. However, according to the city of Aachen, there is a change for vehicle traffic: it will probably have to be patient until the first quarter of 2024 until the final roadway is completed.


The city announced that this was mainly due to the postponement of the installation of the prefabricated parts, which could only be lifted around six months later than originally planned. Until the summer, everyone involved in the project was still confident that they would be able to make up for this delay. However, this then became impossible because the reinforcement and concreting of the end cross beams became significantly more complex than planned. The so-called end cross beams serve to ensure the positional stability of the superstructure and are essential and indispensable components of the overall structure. According to those responsible in the city of Aachen, the follow-up work on the carriageway slab and the cantilever arms will now be irretrievably delayed.

By the time the Turmstrasse bridge is expected to be opened to pedestrians and cyclists at the end of December 2023, the sidewalks with the necessary contact protection, railings and lighting above the tracks, as well as the ancillary facilities in the connecting areas, will be completed. For the construction process, it is necessary that this work is completed before the road surface can be finally sealed and asphalted. However, such work is dependent on the weather and will therefore only be able to be carried out during the first quarter of 2024. The bridge will then be opened to vehicle traffic.

The diversion route established for motorized traffic will remain in place until completion. According to the city press office, the delay in completion has no relevant impact on the increased alternative traffic that will result from the upcoming full closure of the Haarbachtal Bridge (A544), according to the calculations of the Aachen engineering firm for urban and traffic planning (BSV).

Since May 2, 2022, Turmstrasse between Professor-Pirlet-Strasse and Claßenstrasse has been closed in both directions. The RWTH is not involved in the construction work, but is communicating closely with the city in order to keep restrictions as low as possible and to communicate them as quickly as possible.