Ice bet in Hohnstorf: Start of construction for new Elbe crossing in sight!

Ice bet in Hohnstorf: Start of construction for new Elbe crossing in sight!

On January 5, 2025, the traditional ice bet took place for the 30th time on the banks of the Elbe in Hohnstorf. Mayor Dirk Lindemann from Hohnstorf and Thorben Brackmann from Lauenburg were among the almost 200 participants. A central topic of the event was the construction of a new Elbe crossing between Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony.

How LN Online reported, the State Office for Road Construction and Transport (LBV) from Lübeck is planning to present a preferred variant for the replacement structure for the dilapidated Elbe bridge by the end of August or beginning of September. There are a total of ten alternatives for replacement construction under discussion, each with different advantages and disadvantages. It is crucial that the Hitzler shipyard in Lauenburg is not restricted in its operational capability.

Current status of planning

The existing bridge, which belongs to Deutsche Bahn, is classified in the worst condition class and has two lanes for cars and a sidewalk. The hope is that the old bridge will last until the new building is put into operation. This bridge is the only direct connection between Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony besides the Elbe bridge near Geesthacht.

In addition to the latest developments, planning for the B 5/B 209 Elbe crossing Lauenburg/Hohnstorf has already made progress. Informed about this the Ministry for Energy/Transformation in Schleswig-Holstein about various information events that have been organized. The last information event took place on August 1, 2024 at the Albinus Community School in Lauenburg an der Elbe.

A total of five such events were held, alternating between Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony. Anyone interested could take part on site or follow the live stream on the LBV.SH YouTube channel. The focus was on reports on the preliminary planning of the construction project, the current planning of possible bridges and tunnels as well as the FFH compatibility assessment and their effects on the line variants.

In collaboration with engineers and nature conservation experts, the line variants were examined from a nature conservation and technical perspective. A total of ten of 25 variants examined, including four bridges, five bored tunnels and one immersed tunnel, were deemed permissible from a site protection perspective. The next public event on the preferred variant is planned for November 2024.

– Submitted by West-East media