Welcome to the 89 million: Warnowtunnel celebrates record run!

Welcome to the 89 million: Warnowtunnel celebrates record run!

On Friday, June 13, 2025, a remarkable moment occurred in Rostock's Warnow Tunnel: Jenny Petrick and Steve Zimmermann became the 89 millionth users to drive through the rattling archways of the tunnel. The plan was to travel comfortably from Warnemünde to the Handelshof in Brinkmannsdorf, and in beautiful weather they were welcomed with gifts and congratulations from Yvonne Osterkamp and the popular tunnel mascot Otter Oscar. The anticipation was great, after all, over the years the Warnow Tunnel had not only established an important traffic artery for the region, but also created numerous experiences and memories. Rostock town hall reports that in addition to a colorful bouquet of flowers and a cute otter stuffed animal, the two recipients also received tickets to the Rostock Zoo and a fuel voucher for 89 euros.

The Warnow Tunnel, which opened its doors in 2003, has quickly established itself as the fastest connection between the eastern and western parts of Rostock. When it opened, it was specifically expected that there would be an average number of users of up to 25,000 vehicles per day, which was quite close again in 2019 with 13,541 vehicles per day. In 2020 there were still 12,465 vehicles per day, although the numbers fell slightly due to the pandemic and we even recorded a decline of 11 percent from January to April 2021. Despite these challenges, the tunnel company was able to successfully implement the refinancing and experienced positive results in 2019 and the following year. n-tv highlights the growing importance of the Warnow Tunnel for local traffic.

The construction and the numbers at a glance

The tunnel extends over a length of 790 meters and is the first privately financed road construction project in Germany. The construction time was 45 months. This has also contributed to job creation and intense economic activity in the region. The numbers speak for themselves; in recent years the company has gained stability and is now better positioned than it was many years ago. This development shows that the Warnow Tunnel is not just an infrastructure element, but also a symbol of successful investments in the future of the city.

• Einige wesentliche Fakten über den Warnowtunnel:
• Eröffnet: 2003
• Länge: 790 Meter
• Durchschnittliche Fahrzeuganzahl 2019: 13.541 pro Tag
• Durchschnittliche Fahrzeuganzahl 2020: 12.465 pro Tag
• Erwartete Nutzerzahl bei der Eröffnung: bis zu 25.000 Fahrzeuge täglich
• Positives Ergebnis erstmals 2019
• Seitdem stabilisierte sich die Gesellschaft durch Refinanzierung

Tunneling in Germany: An Overview

As part of a STUVA survey on ongoing tunnel construction projects in Germany, it became clear that around 84 kilometers of tunnels are under construction. Here, too, there is increased construction activity, while local transport tunnel construction has experienced a certain decrease in recent years. The future tunnel projects from 2024 onwards show a particularly high planning volume, especially for long-distance railway tunnels. Extensive planning for 38 kilometers of tunnels is also being planned for Hamburg. Tunnel Online provides deeper insights into these developments.

The Warnow Tunnel will remain a central part of Rostock's transport infrastructure in the future. With a toll concept implemented in a timely manner, the operators offer various payment methods, including tunnel card, tunnel strip and the tunnel box by direct debit. Whether for the daily commuter or the tourist – the Warnow Tunnel remains a river artery through the Hanseatic city of Rostock.