Kostheimer Brücke, Road bridge in Mainz-Kostheim, Germany

The Kostheimer Bridge is a road bridge across the Main in Mainz-Kostheim that has connected two districts for over a century. It features a steel truss structure with separate lanes for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians that run side by side.

The first bridge opened in 1887, with timber arch trusses made by the MAN works in Gustavsburg, resting on piers sunk by Philipp Holzmann & Cie. using caisson foundations. Destroyed in the Second World War, it was rebuilt in 1947 with a simpler Warren truss superstructure. Hessen Mobil now plans a replacement, and the state heritage office is weighing listing the bridge as a cultural monument.

The bridge takes its name from Kostheim, a district with a long history of river trade and commerce. Today it remains a daily crossing point linking two sides of the Main, each with their own character and local activity.

The bridge is easily accessible during the day and offers safe paths for pedestrians and cyclists clearly separated from traffic. Traffic can be heavy during rush hours, so it is best to cross outside peak times or allow extra time for the journey.

Roman bridge foundations from 374 CE lie beneath the water and can sometimes be seen when the river level drops very low. These archaeological remains show that this river crossing has been important for nearly two thousand years.