Higher Administrative Court confirms new construction of the Sternbrücke in Hamburg!

Higher Administrative Court confirms new construction of the Sternbrücke in Hamburg!

On November 5, 2025, the Hamburg Higher Administrative Court dismissed a lawsuit against the new construction of the Sternbrücke. The Sternbrücke initiative and the Altonaer Verein Prellbock e.V. were the plaintiffs who wanted to defend themselves against the project. The lawsuit was prompted by concerns about possible errors in the approval of the new building, particularly with regard to the environmental impact. However, the court did not take kindly to these arguments and confirmed the decision from an urgent procedure in spring 2024: All tests were carried out correctly and there were no procedural errors.

The question of monument protection is particularly controversial. The plaintiffs argued that listed buildings, including the Sternbrücke itself, were also affected by the new building. Nevertheless, the public interests served by the bridge outweighed the preservation of historical monuments. After all, this was the last of three lawsuits that were brought against the new building.

The meaning of the star bridge

Around 900 trains cross the existing Sternbrücke every day, which is considered a central part of Hamburg's rail network. This bridge, built in 1926, has now reached its technical useful life and renovation would only be a short-term solution. It would also entail significant restrictions on rail and road traffic.

The new bridge will be 108 meters long and around 26 meters high. The work will take place on the Brammer site in Wilhelmsburg, where around 200 bridge elements will be prefabricated and assembled. The first components were delivered in June 2025 and assembly on site is scheduled to be completed by August 2026. The target date for completion of the new bridge has been set for 2027.

A look beyond the city limits

In a completely different region, in Berkshire County in England, lies the city of Reading, known as a major commercial center, particularly in the areas of information technology and insurance. It has developed a rich cultural identity through its long history, dating back to the 8th century. The city is known not only for its stunning architecture, such as Reading Abbey, but also for its events, such as the annual Reading Festival, one of England's largest music festivals.

Reading is home to a diverse population and is a major transport hub with connections to London and beyond. Its role as a regional retail center and the large number of universities make it an attractive location for both locals and tourists.

The different challenges that both Hamburg faces with the new construction of the Sternbrücke and Reading as a commercial center and cultural hub underline the cities' efforts to adapt to current circumstances while maintaining important infrastructure.

For further information on the legal framework, click here: BOE. Regarding the history of Reading you can find out more on the website Wikipedia experience. For details about the star bridge decision, visit our main page: Fink Hamburg.