In order to take the railway in the valley of the river Ahr (Ahrtalbahn) into operation again after the flood disaster in 2021 and at the same time modernise the infrastructure, a comprehensive construction project was started. The objective is to be able to operate the line between Walporzheim and Ahrbrück by December 2025 and simultaneously implement modern and flood-proof solutions.
The project includes the reconstruction and modernisation of nine steel bridges, five pre-stressed concrete bridges, as well as several train stations/stopping stations and tunnels. In addition to that, the entire track infrastructure is renovated on a stretch of 15 km.
Project information
- Customer:
- DB Infra Go
- Construction period:
- 38 months
- Year of construction:
- April 2023 – June 2026
Particularities of the project
The reconstruction of the Ahrtalbahn is an extremely challenging project with high requirements in the fields of planning and execution. The works include comprehensive earthworks and foundation works, in order to improve the flood resilience. Part of the project is the construction of steel pile walls and the use of a special base course binder mix to stabilise the soil.
The bridge structures were also redesigned to adapt them to the current and prevent them from retaining large quantities of water. A total of over 2000 running metres of bored piles under the 32 piers and abutments ensure a stable underground anchoring. These measures increase the flow volume of future masses of water and reduce potential log jams caused by flotsam. Furthermore, 250 running metres of supporting walls are in construction, which are also designed as flood resistant structures.
Precise planning and coordination
The execution of the project required precise planning of logistics and the use of state-of-the-art technologies like the use of drones to generate footage of the terrain and Building Information Modelling (BIM). These methods facilitated a rapid and expansive survey of the location, as well as an efficient planning of the construction phases and structures.
The exposed topographic location of the construction site involved great logistic challenges for the team. Every cubic metre of concrete, soil, and binder, as well as all volumes of soil for disposal had to be transported along the access road in Walporzheim B 267, Dernau, Altenahr, Kreuzberg on the B 257 and coming from Ahrbrück on the B 257. Temporary crossings of the river Ahr were required, in order to reach the various locations of the construction site.
In addition to that, the teams of LEONHARD WEISS adapted already existing auxiliary bridges for the transportation of heavy loads and lowered them to a lower position.
The progress of this “lighthouse project“ is being praised everywhere. In the area of the “Bunte Kuh“ and slightly above it, the company LEONHARD WEISS is currently using three special machines at the same time. Currently, deep drilling works are being carried out to install massive steel and concrete supports along the federal road and slightly above it.
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