Levensau High Bridge: Finally open to drivers again from June 18th!

Levensau High Bridge: Finally open to drivers again from June 18th!

The Levensau High Bridge in Kiel is one of the oldest bridges over the Kiel Canal and, at over 120 years old, has played an important role in Schleswig-Holstein's transport infrastructure. However, since March 11, 2024, the bridge has been gradually closed to motorized traffic in order to carry out the urgently needed renovation work. However, from Wednesday, June 18th, it will be partially accessible to cars again NDR reported. Initially, only one lane will be opened and traffic will be controlled with traffic lights at both ends.

While construction work on the comprehensive renovation of the high bridge progresses, pedestrians, cyclists and rail traffic have been able to use a temporary bridge for several months. The renovation of the bridge is designed to allow larger ships to pass through, as the Kiel Canal is the busiest artificial sea shipping route in the world. Technical limitations of the old bridge made building a new replacement economically more attractive than simply repairing it WNA explained.

Renovations and schedule

The construction work on the high bridge is extensive and requires precise planning. The first high bridge was built in 1894 and is now undergoing a replacement, which brings with it some special challenges. On the one hand, the bridge not only carries district road 24, but also the Kiel-Eckernförde railway line over the canal. Aleksandar S., the responsible project manager, emphasizes that the new building is intended to be reminiscent of the historic building and at the same time reduce noise pollution for residents. Supporting measures to minimize construction traffic and noise are also part of the project in order not to place undue burden on the surrounding area.

Before the full reopening, intensively tested traffic light operation is required to regulate traffic. This measure is necessary because the foundation work for the new bridge arches on both sides of the canal is in full swing when the bridge is being renewed. Residents and traffic planners can look forward to a transparent information policy on the progress of the work, which has been guaranteed by the responsible authorities.

Extensive planning and future prospects

Loud DEGES Previous static reviews have shown that the remaining useful life of the old high bridge lasts until 2026. The replacement building was therefore urgently needed, not only for technical reasons, but also for security reasons. The new construction includes the construction of a new half of the bridge, which is scheduled to be completed by 2026. This will feature a modern design that offers greater span and safety for shipping traffic.

The Levensau High Bridge is a bottleneck in traffic on the Kiel Canal. With the new bridge, which will hopefully soon receive fine-tuning and meet the requirements of the future, Schleswig-Holstein is entering a new era of traffic relief.