The original bridge was inaugurated in 1936 by Rudolf Hessig and named the "Adolf Hitler Bridge." Like all other bridges, it was blown up on the orders of its namesake on March 4, 1945. Reconstruction began at the end of 1948, largely reusing old structural components and following the original construction drawings. On November 4, 1950, the Rhine bridge was reopened by Minister-President Karl Arnold as the "Krefeld-Uerdingen Bridge." The bridge's design is described as a "pseudo-suspension bridge." It is described as one of the last of its kind across the Rhine.