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The Köhlbrand Bridge in Hamburg has been reopened to traffic since Monday morning, October 19, 2026, at 5:00 AM, following a full weekend closure. This marks the final scheduled closure of the bridge for the year 2026.
Scheduled Maintenance Completed
According to the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA), the closure was for routine repair and maintenance work. The bridge was fully closed from Friday evening, October 16, at 9:00 PM, until Monday morning, October 19, at 5:00 AM. Traffic was diverted via the Kattwyk Bridge, located approximately two kilometers to the south.
Weight Restrictions Remain in Place
The scheduled closures and maintenance are also linked to existing weight restrictions on the Köhlbrand Bridge. Due to its poor condition, the bridge is currently only open to vehicles weighing up to 44 tons. Heavy port transports, which previously used the bridge directly, have since had to take alternative routes.
Measures to Ease Port Operations
To facilitate port operations, the Autobahn GmbH has introduced temporary permanent permits for heavy and oversized transports on the A7 motorway, initially until the end of November. This allows freight forwarders to avoid applying for a separate permit for each individual journey.
Future of the Köhlbrand Bridge
The planned new construction of the Köhlbrand Bridge is not expected to be completed until the early 2040s. In response to this extended timeline, the CDU and the Chamber of Commerce have advocated for a provisional replacement bridge.
Previous Closures and Upcoming Work
Earlier in 2026, the Köhlbrand Bridge was fully closed for maintenance work on six weekends. Other bridges in the Hamburg port area are also scheduled for closures in 2026 for various repair and maintenance projects.
Source: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/nach-vollsperrung-am-wochenende-koehlbrandbruecke-in-hamburg-wieder-frei,brueckensperrungen-106.html
