Duisburg-Hochfeld Railway Bridge

The Duisburg-Hochfeld Railway Bridge is a steel truss structure that carries two railway lines across the Rhine. The bridge features diagonal cross-bracing characteristic of its truss design, creating a complex lattice pattern visible from below.

The original bridge opened in 1873 as a key railway project for the Rhenish Railway Company during the industrial boom. After wartime destruction, the current structure was rebuilt in 1949 and underwent several renovations in the decades that followed.

The bridge reflects how railways shaped daily life in an industrial city where trains remained central to movement and work. It connects two neighborhoods and shows how transportation infrastructure defined the region's identity.

Pedestrians and cyclists can access the bridge via separate paths that run alongside the railway tracks. The best time to visit is during the day since train movements can be disruptive and lighting is limited at night.

During World War II, engineers constructed a temporary replacement bridge in record time to keep the railway operating after bombing destroyed the original. This feat with limited resources shows how vital this transport route was to the region.

Location: Duisburg

Inception: 1873

Official opening: 1873

Part of: Duisburg-Ruhrort–Mönchengladbach railway

GPS coordinates: 51.40772,6.74439

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:44