Peter updates: Faster to the Baltic - across the new Kattwyk bridge

Just the other day I made a short inspection flight over Kattwyk Island. And what did I see? Well, for all those who cannot fly like me, the Hamburg Port Authority is building a new Kattwyk bridge. The combined road-rail bridge has crossed the Süderelbe between Kattwyk Island and Moorburg since 1973. The newbuild will increase capacity in the western section of the port also relieving eastbound traffic. In November 2015 the gap was filled in the new road bridge in Kattwykstraße. In spring 2016 HPA began building the main structure, the new rail lift-bridge. As from 2017 the steel structure, the drive technology and finally the track construction will follow. The new bridge should be open for traffic in 2020.

This will also have an immediate positive effect on freight goods transport to and from the Baltic Sea region. My diagram shows how the present route, via Harburg and Maschen, will be shortened by the new rail bridge at Kattwyk. HPA estimates around one hour will be saved in comparison to the old route. Maybe then I’ll let the train take the strain!