Revolution in bridge construction: Oldenburg's new carbon concrete bridge is unique!

Revolution in bridge construction: Oldenburg's new carbon concrete bridge is unique!

Oldenburg, Deutschland - On July 2, 2025, a real milestone in bridge construction was celebrated in Oldenburg: the first modular walking and cycle path bridge made of pre-tensioned carbon concrete (CPC) in Germany saw the light of day. With a length of 9.60 meters and a width of 2.74 meters, it replaces an outdated wooden beam steel structure from the 90s. This groundbreaking bridge, which weighs only 7 tons and is only 7 centimeters thick, could be the starting signal for a new era of sustainable building in Germany.

The construction of the bridge was a real showcase project that was realized in just six weeks. For an amount of 140,000 euros, the city of Oldenburg, in cooperation with Holcim Germany, was able to build this innovative construction, which lies along the railway embankment in the Drielake district. Kreiszeitung reports that this installation not only improves functionality for pedestrians and cyclists, but also protects valuable resources.

The advantages of carbon concrete

carbon concrete has established itself as a future -oriented building material that replaces conventional steel reinforcements with preloaded carbon fibers. This technology brings with it numerous advantages: it is easier, more forward -proof and more resistant to corrosion. Due to the material savings, the panels are up to 80% thinner than traditional reinforced concrete slabs. This leads to a significant reduction in CO₂ footprint by up to 75%. Not to mention that CPC is fully recyclable and thus makes a valuable contribution to resource conservation, as championship tip.

The possibility of extending the lifespan from bridges to over 100 years could be a significant advantage in times of falling investment budgets for the infrastructure. Many bridges in Germany - around 40,000 on motorways and federal highways - were built between 1960 and 1985 and are increasingly affected by water and corrosion. Here, carbon concrete could significantly mitigate a cost-intensive renovation, explains engineer.

a pioneering decision

The decision of the city of Oldenburg to do without the classic wooden beam construction and instead build these innovative modular bridge is considered to be directional. The construction engineers of the TU Berlin are currently also examining the possibilities of carbon concrete for other structures such as tunnels and facades. The project "C³ - Carbon Concrete Composite", supported by the BMBF, shows the enormous potential of carbon fibers that could be used far beyond bridge construction.

Thanks to the CNC-controlled machines that cut the components precisely, the project was not only characterized by its environmental friendliness, but also by high precision. It can therefore be stated: The innovative bridge in Oldenburg is not only a step into a sustainable future of building, but could also set new standards nationwide in bridge construction.