Hamburg Senate Rejects Provisional Köhlbrand Bridge Replacement, Prioritizing New Construction
Hamburg, September 26 – The red-green Senate of Hamburg has officially rejected the proposal for a provisional replacement of the aging Köhlbrand Bridge in the Hamburg port. Instead, the Senate, represented by Transport Senator Anjes Tjarks and Finance Senator Andreas Dressel, stated its intention to concentrate efforts on the construction of the already planned new, higher bridge.
The idea of a provisional steel bridge over the Köhlbrand, estimated to cost around 850 million Euros, had been discussed since early summer, according to calculations commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce and reported by NDR 90.3. An engineering firm hired by the Chamber suggested that such a relief bridge could be built parallel to the existing structure and at the same height, with a construction period of two to three years.
CDU and Chamber of Commerce Push for Interim Solution
Both the CDU and the Chamber of Commerce had championed this interim solution as a ‘Plan B,’ arguing that the definitive Köhlbrand crossing is not expected to be completed until the early 2040s. “Hamburg must not continue to rely on the principle of hope for its most important port connection,” stated a motion from the CDU parliamentary group for the upcoming Bürgerschaft session. Antonia Goldner, the CDU’s port policy spokesperson, warned that a complete closure would be disastrous for the port and the economy. “Anyone who only reacts when the port is at a standstill acts too late,” she emphasized. Ferries capable of transporting trucks were also discussed as an alternative for short-term closures, though this would require new jetties and RoRo ferries, and would only manage a fraction of the traffic.
Financial Senator Opposes Provisional Bridge
Finance Senator Andreas Dressel expressed strong opposition to the CDU’s proposal to put the provisional bridge to a vote in the Bürgerschaft. “No one who has publicly commented on this has presented a financing proposal,” Dressel stated. For the Senate, the top priority is to expedite the realization of the new bridge construction.
Freight Forwarders Warn Against Delays
The Association of Hamburg Freight Forwarders echoed the Senate’s sentiment. Axel Plaß, chairman, asserted that Hamburg does not need a debate over ‘Plan B.’ He stressed that anyone aiming to strengthen the port must push forward with the new construction with the highest priority to prevent years of discussion from turning into decades of waiting. Hans Stapelfeldt of the Road Haulage and Logistics Association also commented, acknowledging the good underlying idea of a relief bridge but expressing doubts about who could build it quickly. For him, the primary focus remains the rapid advancement of the already approved new Köhlbrand Bridge.
BUND Calls for Reassessment of Need
In contrast, the environmental protection organization BUND has called for a closer examination of whether multiple Elbe crossings are truly necessary for the port. In addition to the new Köhlbrand Bridge, which could cost up to 5.3 billion Euros, another bridge, the A26 Ost, is planned further south. Sabine Sommer, chairwoman of BUND, noted that actual cargo handling figures in the port have consistently fallen short of forecasts for many years.
The Köhlbrand Bridge: A Hamburg Landmark Since 1974
Opened in 1974, the Köhlbrand Bridge has been a defining landmark of Hamburg. However, the structure has deteriorated significantly, necessitating a replacement. Since May, the bridge has been closed to heavy transports. The Hamburg CDU had previously inquired about compliance with these driving bans.
The debate surrounding the Köhlbrand Bridge highlights the complexities of balancing economic needs, infrastructure development, and environmental concerns in a major port city.
