Cardinal Frings Bridge Closed for Heavy Goods Transport: Diversion via Flehe
Dilapidated Rhine Bridges: How Long Until Traffic Collapses?
Neuss · “A traffic disaster,” says the Neuss freight forwarder Mike Heeb, a “fiasco” is what Jürgen Steinmetz, managing director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK), calls it. Middle Lower Rhine: Since last week, trucks over 7.5 tons are no longer allowed to cross the Josef-Kardinal-Frings Bridge. Previously the limit was 30 tons. This means that heavy goods traffic across the Rhine will once again have to detour, to maintain the supply chains between Düsseldorf and Neuss.
The Josef Cardinal Frings Bridge, often affectionately dubbed the South Bridge but perhaps more deserving of a nickname like “That Bridge That’s Seen Better Days,” is now off-limits for heavy vehicles. Diversions now lead over the Fleher Bridge, which is also past its prime. Talk about a game of bridge roulette!
“The Rhine is our lifeline,” proclaims Steinmetz, as he contemplates the idea of a fully functional bridge that might rescue the Neuss Düsseldorf port location from its impending doom (a bit dramatic, but when you’re stuck in traffic, who wouldn’t be?). He calls for a “quick and pragmatic solution,” perhaps a simple wave of the magic wand will do the trick!
“Due to the damage, we had to pull the ripcord,” explains Stephan Huth from the North Rhine-Westphalia State Road Construction Agency (Straßen.NRW). Repair work began back in August, but the bridge inspection revealed serious damage to the bearings — I mean, what’s next? A “caution: may collapse” sign? The load limit has been tightened, and now you might as well putt-putt across it at 30 kilometers per hour. Makes you really question those “Rustic Charm” brochures, right?
Huth reassures us that they’re maintaining “close contact” with the folks responsible for the Fleher Bridge and the lovely city of Düsseldorf. The city also has its hands full with the elevated road on the B7 in Heerdt, another route to Neuss — currently pretending it’s a no-go zone for heavy trucks because, oh yes, it’s in desperate need of a makeover.
Steinmetz, the illustrious IHK boss, has a rather dramatic take on the situation, calling it “catastrophic.” He says it’s a fiasco for the industry and the whole business environment on both sides of the Rhine. Well, when using words like “catastrophic” and “fiasco,” you might as well invite a circus clown along for the ride!
Since March 2020, the Düsseldorf town hall restricted the elevated road to vehicles weighing up to 30 tons, meaning the only traffic left enjoying the scenic route are lightweight vehicles—because who doesn’t want to take a sneaky detour through the ages while sitting in a traffic jam? A recent public consultation regarding the future of the elevated road has just wrapped up, and guess what? A new tunnel is being considered. Your friendly neighborhood roadworks show just got an exciting sequel!
Traffic between Neuss and Düsseldorf is so tense that you could cut the air with a knife—get ready for a chaotic aftermath post-autumn break! The diversion for heavy goods traffic takes them over the Fleher Bridge, right at the Uedesheim junction, which is like navigating a minefield of heavy loads. Huth acknowledges the inevitable traffic disruptions that will spill into the surrounding areas. Sorry, everyone — our traffic management degree is still in the mail!
Instead of an 8-kilometer jaunt from Neuss to the port of Düsseldorf, delivery trucks are now covering a staggering 20 kilometers. That’s double the distance in a world where every kilometer feels like running a marathon! Higher fuel costs, vehicle wear, and staffing woes are starting to chip away at profits. Steinmetz’s plea, “And this at a time when there is a serious shortage of personnel and big efforts are being made to protect the climate,” could be the cherry on top of this cake of misery.
50 km/h and heavy goods traffic? Don’t hold your breath for a miracle on the Josef Cardinal Frings Bridge…
Mike Heeb from GTL – Neuss Drinks Transport & Logistics has a bone to pick too: “The closure means major detours, delays, and—newsflash—fewer customers! We can barely handle orders in the port anymore.” With the new traffic chaos, they’re forced to plan an extra two hours for deliveries. Just when you thought being late was a unique talent — surprise!
Huth says they’re working on sealing things up — literally. He insists that they plan for work to be completed by the year’s end, re-opening life under the bridge, while preventing what could become a traffic apocalypse. They are aiming to avoid closures around Neuss for the anticipated 2026 State Garden Show. Let’s hope no one’s waiting for their “Around the World in 80 Days” delivery during that time!
But hold on—let’s not forget the arresting fact that the Fleher Bridge itself is also dilapidated. Yes, you’re right—it’s like playing a game of Jenga: how many blocks can we lose before the whole thing comes tumbling down? Heavy traffic is still allowed to use it, but only two lanes are open for business. It’s anyone’s guess if they can even handle the redirected traffic. Who’s got a crystal ball?
Steinmetz sums it all up perfectly in a lovely cocktail of sass and sorrow: “The situation overall is devastating. The dilapidated infrastructure… it’s crumbling.” He insists that pragmatism and prompt action are now paramount. That’s right folks — it’s time to roll up the sleeves and play some catch-up with infrastructure! Because let’s face it, without a functioning system, absolutely nothing moves.
With the IHK currently planning a roundtable discussion as part of a bridge crisis dialogue, here’s hoping they come up with more than just cups of coffee and sighs of despair. The traffic situation may be dire, but let’s keep our spirits high! After all, everyone loves a good traffic tale… as long as you aren’t stuck in one!
This cheeky, observational commentary reflects the combined styles of Jimmy Carr, Rowan Atkinson, Ricky Gervais, and Lee Evans, delivering sharp humor while presenting the stark realities of the infrastructure crisis faced by the Middle Lower Rhine region.
Cardinal Frings Bridge closed for heavy goods transport: diversion via Flehe Dilapidated Rhine bridges: How long until traffic collapses?
Neuss · “A traffic disaster,” says the Neuss freight forwarder Mike Heeb, a “fiasco” is what Jürgen Steinmetz, managing director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) calls it. Middle Lower Rhine: Since last week, trucks over 7.5 tons have been allowed to use the Josef-Kardinal-Frings -No longer cross the bridge, previously the limit was 30 tons. This means that heavy goods traffic across the Rhine will once again have to accept diversions in order to maintain the supply chains between Düsseldorf and Neuss.
The Josef Cardinal Frings Bridge (also called the South Bridge) is dilapidated. Since last week, heavy goods vehicles have no longer been allowed to drive on them. The diversion leads over the Fleher Bridge, which is also dilapidated.
Photo: Kurier Verlag GmbH/Hanna Glinski
“The Rhine is our lifeline, which is why a fully functional, heavy-duty bridge is essential for the Neuss Düsseldorf port location,” says Steinmetz, justifying his call for a quick and pragmatic solution.
“Due to the damage, we had to pull the ripcord,” explains Stephan Huth, who heads the construction department at the North Rhine-Westphalia State Road Construction Agency (Straßen.NRW). The repair work on the bridge began in August, and a bridge inspection was also carried out parallel to the ongoing renovation. Serious damage to the bridge bearings was discovered, which makes it necessary to tighten the load and reduce the permitted speed to 30 kilometers per hour until further notice.
“We are of course in regular contact with our colleagues from Autobahn GmbH, who are responsible for the maintenance and construction of the Fleher Bridge, and the city of Düsseldorf,” explains Huth. The state capital takes care of the elevated road on the B7 in Heerdt, another route from Düsseldorf to Neuss that is not accessible to heavy trucks and is in need of renovation.
IHK boss Jürgen Steinmetz finds the situation “catastrophic. This is a fiasco for industry and the entire business location on both sides of the Rhine.” He calls for pragmatic solutions to be found quickly.
Photo: IHK Middle Lower Rhine
The Düsseldorf town hall says that since the end of March 2020, the elevated road has only been allowed to be used by vehicles with a total weight of up to 30 tons, “in addition, the use of the left and middle lanes for vehicles over 3.5 tons has been restricted in both directions “Prohibited.” Public participation on the future of the elevated road recently came to an end and a new tunnel construction at the site is being considered.
The traffic situation between Neuss and Düsseldorf is tense and it is likely to get even worse after the autumn holidays. The currently officially signposted diversion of heavy goods traffic from the Kardinal-Frings-Bridge leads over the Fleher Bridge on the A46 at the Uedesheim junction. Huth knows that the fact that the load on the south bridge will also lead to traffic disruptions in the extended area cannot be avoided; the stated goal is to keep them as low as possible.
The delivery traffic previously had to cover a distance of eight kilometers from Neuss to the port of Düsseldorf, now it is 20 – over routes that were already heavily used. The IHK complains that this means more fuel, more vehicle use, more personnel and more costs for freight forwarders. “And this at a time when there is a serious shortage of personnel and great efforts are being made to protect the climate,” says Steinmetz.
50 km/h and heavy goods traffic: The Josef Cardinal Frings Bridge won’t look like this for a while…
Photo: Kurier Verlag GmbH/Hanna Glinski
Mike Heeb from GTL – Neuss Drinks Transport & Logistics explains: “The fact that the south bridge is closed means major detours for inner-city traffic, delays and therefore fewer customers. In the port, for example, we can hardly accept orders anymore – at least not at the old prices. For customers who are based there, we have to plan an extra two hours due to traffic… That can’t be the solution. According to Heeb, the situation isn’t just hitting heavy goods traffic hard. Car drivers would now also have to put up with more traffic jams or take detours to prevent this.
Huth from Straßen.NRW explains: “The sealing is currently taking place in the direction of Düsseldorf. This should be completed by the end of the year and the opposite direction will follow in the new year. This will be followed by work under the bridge, which should not affect traffic.” The new load could then be lifted again. According to Huth, planned closures around Neuss should be avoided for the 2026 State Garden Show. However, the current work is necessary to prevent a complete closure. The delivery traffic therefore avoids begging.
The problem: The Fleher Bridge itself is dilapidated, and a new building has long been a decision. Heavy goods traffic is currently allowed to use it, but only two lanes are free. Can it even handle the additional redirected traffic? Only time will tell.
“The situation overall is devastating. The dilapidated infrastructure, which has been neglected for decades in many places, is crumbling. It is no longer possible without pragmatism, committed tackling and implementation. Infrastructure must be a priority. Without them, nothing moves,” says Steinmetz. As part of a bridge crisis discussion, the IHK is currently planning a round of discussions to discuss the current situation and immediate measures.
