Restoration

Rail traffic has been flowing over Müngstener Brücke since 1897, and it has been regularly serviced, maintained and repaired. In order to maintain its traffic and stability for the future, Deutsche Bahn, as the owner, has completely renovated it from 2013 to 2021. In eight years and with around 400,000 working hours, the entire bridge structure was brought up to scratch - of course in accordance with the preservation order.

The World Heritage application is an important step that Deutsche Bahn, as a partner in the process and a member of the "Welterbe Müngstener Brücke" development association, is determined to lead to success. "We are proud of the structure, it is a flagship for Deutsche Bahn," emphasizes Werner Lübberink, Group Representative of Deutsche Bahn AG in NRW. 

In the first step, the steel structure received a new roadway bridge. Two years later, the construction experts repaired the entire bridge structure with its steel components, roller bearings and foundations. At the same time, they provided long-lasting corrosion protection over an area of more than 52,000 square meters - equivalent to seven soccer fields. In the final refurbishment stage, DB mainly renewed and installed the equipment for maintenance and repair - including fixed ladders and stairs. DB invested around 30 million euros in the large-scale refurbishment project. Further funds were added for additional technical equipment and maintenance facilities on the bridge, among other things.

Deutsche Bahn donated an original component, part of the roadway bridge, to the "Welterbe Müngstener Brücke" development association after completion of the restoration work. It is to find its permanent place at Bahnhof Schaberg. The component allows a new and very close look at the architecture and conveys knowledge about the construction. This "educational aspect" is of great importance in the UNESCO World Heritage program and therefore also plays an important role in the application process.