270-ton Bridge Hoisted into Place in Hamburg-Ohlsdorf
Hamburg, August 15 – A new U-Bahn bridge, weighing 270 tons and measuring 45 meters in length, was successfully hoisted into place at the U1 Ohlsdorf station in Hamburg on Saturday. The complex operation involved transporting the massive structure from its assembly point to the installation site and carefully lowering it into position.
The bridge, which spans Alsterdorfer Straße, is a key component of the Hamburger Hochbahn’s extensive “Ohlsdorf 2026” project. This multi-year initiative aims to completely renew the more than 100-year-old platform at Ohlsdorf station and replace the adjacent bridge.
Precision Engineering: A Millimeter-Perfect Maneuver
The transport of the 270-ton bridge was carried out by a remote-controlled crawler vehicle equipped with nearly 96 wheels. The intricate maneuver required millimeter-perfect precision, navigating past surrounding trees, a process reminiscent of the challenging installation of the Sternbrücke.
Janina Brickwedde from Hochbahn stated, “Now we just need to establish the connection and start welding.” This marks a significant step forward in the project, which has been in the planning stages for years.
Four Months of Preparation on Site
The bridge arrived in approximately 15 individual sections. Over a period of four months, these sections were welded, assembled, and painted on a traffic island that had been closed for the purpose since spring. This meticulous preparation ensured the bridge was ready for its final installation.
“Ohlsdorf 2026”: A Major Modernization Project
The “Ohlsdorf 2026” project involves a comprehensive overhaul of the U1 line in the Ohlsdorf area. In addition to the new bridge and platform renewal, other structures, technical equipment, and tracks along the route are being modernized. The total investment for this extensive renovation is 23 million euros, highlighting the scale and importance of the undertaking for Hamburg’s public transport infrastructure.
U1 Closure Continues Until October 14
Due to the ongoing construction work, the U1 line remains fully closed between Fuhlsbüttel Nord and Lattenkamp stations until October 14, 2026. This closure is necessary for the extensive renovations at Ohlsdorf station and the associated bridge works. Replacement buses are operating between Lattenkamp and Fuhlsbüttel Nord for the duration of the closure, which has been in effect for over three months. The S-Bahn service in Ohlsdorf remains unaffected by these construction activities.
The successful installation of the new bridge represents a major milestone in the “Ohlsdorf 2026” project, bringing Hamburg closer to a modernized and more efficient public transport system.
