Photo: Cesar von Meissen
Restrictions between Heisingen and Kupferdreh: What's important now
Essen, Baldeneysee, January 23, 2026. The city of Essen is getting serious: As early as 8 a.m., the popular cycle and hiking bridge between Heisingen and Kupferdreh Completely closed to the public. Even though this measure was announced in advance (Baldeneysee.Ruhr reported), it is likely to catch many people unprepared – after all, the bridge is a key connection for commuters, walkers and cyclists along the Ruhr.
Why the closure is now unavoidable
The trigger for this swift decision lies in the results of the main inspection, which was carried out at the end of 2025 and whose evaluation is now available. Experts from the Office for Roads and Traffic found severely rotted wood in numerous places, some with extensive fungal infestation. This damages the cell structure of the material so severely that the load-bearing capacity of the wooden planks is no longer guaranteed. In short: The bridge is no longer safe in its current condition – and safety, of course, takes precedence. It's unthinkable what could happen.
Photo: Cesar von Meissen
Renovation in preparation: What will change on the bridge
The good news: Renovation planning is already underway. The contract is expected to be awarded in the coming weeks, so a concrete timetable for implementation will soon be available. According to the city, the renovation will be comprehensive and will include replacing the entire wooden structure, removing the existing viewing platforms, and adapting the railings to current cycling regulations. This will not only make the bridge safer, but also more modern and future-proof.
Recommended detour
Despite the blockage, it will still be possible to use the Baldeneysee on the Lake round to bypass the closure and get from Heisingen to Kupferdreh. This is how you can still cross the Ruhr: During the closure, the city asks all pedestrians and cyclists to use the... Kampmann Bridge to avoid it. This also applies to hikers on circular routes around the Baldeneysee are traveling, for example on the Baldeneysteig. From Kupferdreh, the route leads via Kampmannbrücke road. From Heisingen, the alternative crossing can be reached via the reservoir bend. Even if the detour may be inconvenient for some, it currently remains the safest and most sensible option.
Current information
Since this closure affects many people and the bridge is an important part of the local infrastructure, we will of course keep you informed of all further developments. Under "News" you will find all the latest updates on the renovation, schedules, and any changes to traffic routing.
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