Hamburg, August 31 – Rail traffic between Hamburg-Altona and Sternschanze has officially resumed this Monday morning, following weeks of closure for the installation of three new bridges, including the impressive Sternbrücke. The first trains crossed the newly installed bridge without major ceremony, signaling the end of a significant interruption to the international rail corridor.
First Trains Cross the New Sternbrücke
The first train to traverse the recently installed Sternbrücke was the RE70 from Kiel, passing at approximately 4:15 AM. This was swiftly followed by long-distance services, with ICE 103 from Hamburg-Altona to Basel crossing around 4:30 AM. The first S-Bahn, line S5 heading towards Hauptbahnhof, utilized the bridge at 4:35 AM.
This marks a crucial moment for Hamburg’s transport infrastructure, as the route between Hamburg-Altona and the main station is a vital international rail corridor. Approximately 900 trains are expected to roll across the new Sternbrücke daily.
An Engineering Marvel with Local Concerns
The new Sternbrücke, weighing an impressive 3,700 tons, is considered a technical masterpiece. Its installation involved a spectacular transport operation at the end of July, where the 108-meter-long bridge was moved approximately 500 meters from its construction site to the railway embankment at the intersection of Max-Brauer-Allee and Stresemannstraße. This intricate maneuver, carried out by the Dutch specialized team Mammoet, saw the bridge transported centimeter by centimeter, with only 40 centimeters of clearance to nearby buildings in some sections. Thousands of spectators witnessed this complex operation.
However, the new bridge is significantly larger than its predecessor, a fact that continues to draw criticism from local residents regarding its visual impact and integration into the urban landscape.
Ongoing Road Closures and Construction Challenges
Despite the resumption of rail traffic, not all aspects of the project are complete. The railway extended the closure period by two weeks due to issues with the overhead lines. Consequently, roads beneath the Sternbrücke will remain closed for a longer duration. Stresemannstraße is expected to reopen on September 7, with Max-Brauer-Allee scheduled for an even later date. This delay is partly attributed to the need for the railway to exchange 10,000 tons more soil at the embankment than originally planned.
Construction work at the Sternbrücke will continue for some time, even as a new major construction site is set to commence next week at Schlump.
Replacing a Century-Old Structure
The old Sternbrücke, dating back to 1926, was replaced due to its deteriorating condition and the increased demands of modern rail traffic. Deutsche Bahn opted for a new construction to ensure the safety and efficiency of the railway network.
Impact on Local Businesses and Community
The demolition and reconstruction of the railway bridge have had a notable impact on the local club scene. For some establishments, this period has meant both farewells and new beginnings, while one pub has shown remarkable resilience in maintaining its operations amidst the significant construction.
The removal of the old bridge components involved cutting torches and extensive demolition work before the new, massive structure could be installed.
The successful opening of the new Sternbrücke to rail traffic marks a significant step forward for Hamburg’s infrastructure, even as some challenges, particularly concerning local road access and community concerns, remain to be fully addressed.
Source: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/neue-sternbruecke-in-hamburg-jetzt-rollen-die-zuege,sternbruecke-260.html
