Decatur Bridge in Meshen: First section released after renovation!

Decatur Bridge in Meshen: First section released after renovation!

The good news of the day: The renovated Decatur Bridge over the marshalling yard in Maschen, Harburg district, is pleased about its first completed section! The bridge had been closed since 2016 due to serious structural problems, and today, October 10, 2025, the first renovated part was officially opened. But we have to make this clear right away: Use is currently only possible for authorized vehicles on railway property. General opening to traffic is planned for the end of 2026 when all renovation work has been completed.

The bridge was no longer able to support its own weight, which necessitated the long closure. As part of the extensive renovation work, conventional concrete will be replaced with lightweight concrete to ensure better load-bearing capacity. The total costs for the project amount to around 46 million euros, with a large part of this sum being covered by the state of Lower Saxony. According to the project manager, this ensured that the costs stayed within budget and there were no unpleasant surprises. The NDR reports that this renovation represents an essential measure for the region.

Impressive construction progress

A big plus during the renovation was the efficient planning of the work, which also required extensive closures of the tracks underneath. According to the information from Seevetal An approved closure break combination was used to carry out the work without unnecessary delays. The construction work was carried out under difficult conditions, such as freezing temperatures and night lighting, but thanks to good planning and an excellent team, everything went smoothly.

The project manager Andreas Hein praises the dedicated work of everyone involved and emphasizes that the maximum permissible time for the blocking break combination was around 7 hours shorter. This meant that the power to the overhead lines could be reactivated earlier and the tracks were opened early, which was beneficial for all road users. The next steps include removing the road surface and sealing, applying new bridge sealing and filling the road with concrete and asphalt.

A look into the future

With the successful completion of the first section, the anticipation for the full opening of the bridge is growing. The Decatur Bridge plays an important role in the regional transportation network and its rehabilitation is not only a technical necessity, but also a sign of progress in the county's infrastructure. The work shows how a good plan and the right commitment can not only solve problems, but also lay the foundation for the future.

As construction progressed, anyone interested had the opportunity to visit the construction site and get an impression of the progress. The bridge will certainly soon be a vibrant connection for commuters and the entire region once it is fully opened to traffic. Stay tuned!