Controlled Demolition of A45 Bridge: 377 Meters Collapses

Wilnsdorf, North Rhine-Westphalia - In a meticulously planned demolition, 50 kilograms of explosives were used to bring down the 377-meter-long Landeskroner Weiher Bridge on the A45 this Sunday. This controlled detonation, which occurred at 11 a.m., marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to upgrade aging infrastructure in the region. The bridge, part of the highway located in the district of Siegen-Wittgenstein near the border with Hesse, had previously seen its northern segment demolished in autumn 2022.

The demolition process unfolded as follows: At 10:45 a.m., the first signal was given, followed by a second at 10:55 a.m. A loud blast, aimed at scaring away birds for safety, was heard at 10:58 a.m., leading up to the demolition at 11 a.m. The bridge descended 36 meters as the explosives detonated, which were strategically placed in 336 drilled holes. The impact was cushioned by a bed of 7,600 cubic meters of soil designed to absorb the shock.

Eduard Reisch, the demolition expert overseeing the operation, expressed satisfaction with the execution, noting that all explosives detonated as planned. Fortunately, no damage occurred to the newly constructed northern segment of the bridge, and the vibration levels remained within acceptable limits.

Following the demolition, efforts will focus on clearing approximately 10,000 tons of debris and preparing the site for reconstruction. Samuel Freund, head of the Netphen branch of the Autobahn GmbH, confirmed that the new construction of the Rinsdorf viaduct will commence this summer. He emphasized that this project represents a unique event in Germany, given its scale and complexity.

The A45 highway remains closed to traffic in both directions between the Wilnsdorf and Haiger-Burbach interchanges until 4 p.m. on Sunday, and access to the nearby Landeskroner Weiher parking area is also restricted during this time.

The renovation of the Sauerland Line is part of one of the largest construction initiatives on Germany's highways, focusing on replacing numerous dilapidated viaducts along the route. These upgrades are crucial for ensuring the safety and reliability of transportation infrastructure across the region.