Berlinertordammbrücke Demolition Begins, Causing Major Disruptions in Hamburg
Hamburg, March 6, 2026 – The renewal of the Berlinertordammbrücke in eastern Hamburg has entered its next phase with the demolition of the northern bridge section. This operation, which began on Thursday evening, will cause significant disruptions for motorists and train passengers over several weekends in March.
Initial Closures and Diversions
Construction work commenced on Thursday, resulting in the closure of both the Bürgerweide, which runs under the bridge, and the bridge itself until Monday morning. Drivers are advised to avoid the area. Alternative routes include Eiffestraße/B5 and the Sechslingspforte/An der Alster connection. Diversions are also signposted for cyclists and pedestrians.
The full closure is necessary for the setup of a large crane that will lift out the old bridge elements, some of which weigh up to 60 tons.
Heavy Machinery at Work
On Friday afternoon, four crawler excavators were actively chipping away at the reinforced concrete bridge, creating a significant amount of dust that obscured the sun. A quarter of the bridge had already been demolished, much to the satisfaction of Traffic Senator Anjes Tjarks (Greens).
“We are demolishing the second part of the Berlinertordammbrücke. It spans the Bürgerweide, a road with 70,000 vehicles daily. The S-Bahn and long-distance railway lines run underneath. This is a huge logistical challenge,” Tjarks stated.
Further Closures in March Affecting Rail Traffic
Two weeks later, both the Bürgerweide and the S-Bahn and long-distance railway tracks heading north will be closed. This will allow for the demolition of the section over the tracks. The rail closure will be shorter and will only begin on Saturday. The same closures will be implemented again on the last weekend of March.
Reason for the Works: Age and Deterioration
The extensive work is necessitated by the bridge’s advanced age. The structure is a patchwork of elements from several centuries, with the oldest parts exceeding 100 years and heavily corroded by rust. The complete bridge is expected to be finished by the end of 2027.
Traffic Information for Hamburg
Current traffic conditions in and around Hamburg, including traffic jams, construction sites, hazard warnings, and disruptions, can be found in real-time traffic reports. The Hamburg Journal on NDR Fernsehen covered this topic on March 6, 2026, at 7:30 PM.
Source: ndr.de
