Despite the celebratory occasion of its 50th anniversary, it appears the establishment will shut down once more.
The Kohlbrand Bridge, a vital artery connecting the bustling harbor of Hamburg, turns 50 this Friday, September 20. Built in 1970, the bridge has been a testament to the city's growth and development over the past five decades.
Spanning 53 meters over the Kohlbrand, the current bridge is almost four kilometers long. It links the large terminals in the west with the rest of the harbor, facilitating the movement of over 34,000 vehicles, including more than 12,500 trucks, daily.
The bridge has undergone regular maintenance and repairs, but its structure has deteriorated to the point of crumbling. To ensure the safety of commuters, an urgent repair work is scheduled from September 20, 10 PM, to September 23, 5 AM. A detour will be signposted during the closure.
In light of the bridge's age and deteriorating condition, plans for a new bridge have been proposed. The new bridge, if built, will be part of the harbor crossing project and will span around five kilometers, making the ramps longer. It will also be 20 meters higher, offering improved navigation for larger vessels.
The estimated cost of constructing the new bridge is 5.3 billion euros, a significant increase from the 160 million D-Marks spent on building the original bridge in 1970, equivalent to around 82 million euros today.
To accommodate the growing traffic and to ensure safety, heavy vehicles such as many container trucks have had to maintain a minimum distance of 50 meters on the bridge since 2019. An overtaking ban was introduced on the Kohlbrand Bridge in 2012 to further enhance safety.
On its opening day and the following day, approximately 600,000 people crossed the bridge, a testament to its importance to the city. As the Kohlbrand Bridge celebrates its 50th anniversary, it continues to play a crucial role in Hamburg's transportation network.
For the most current and accurate information about urgent repair work, specific closure dates, and recommended detours, it is advisable to check official Hamburg transport or infrastructure websites, local news outlets, or Hamburg’s traffic authority announcements. These sources typically provide timely updates on road works and traffic advisories.
In the proposed plan for a new bridge, it would be part of the harbor crossing project and spanning around five kilometers, making it an essential infrastructure investment for the other industries reliant on its transportation network, such as finance and transportation. To verify the latest updates regarding the bridge's repair work and detour schedules, commuters can refer to official Hamburg transport or infrastructure websites, local news outlets, or Hamburg’s traffic authority announcements for accurate and timely information.
