“They say it was one of the tallest of its kind worldwide” a voice whispers. We stand before the spot where the Alte Rethebrücke once stood a colossal bridge dominating the Hamburg harbor.
The Alte Rethebrücke was more than just a bridge. It was a vital artery for both road and rail traffic connecting Hohe Schaar with Neuhof and the former eastern free port. This impressive structure opened on June 20 1934 after 15 months of construction. It was a product of the Third Reich’s work creation program a testament to engineering prowess. Its 50-meter-high lifting towers were remarkable.
The bridge’s design was a fascinating compromise. To accommodate existing railway tracks it spanned the Rethe at a 63-degree angle. This resulted in a rather narrow 44-meter-wide passage despite its 77-meter span. The bridge opened about 3000 times a year to allow ships through. This frequent opening and closing along with the railway lines that crossed the road both north and south of the bridge often led to traffic jams. Road and rail traffic were severely hindered. A real bottleneck.
World War II left its mark. The bridge sustained heavy damage. In the 1950s some of its modern steel was given to the victorious Allies as reparations. The subsequent repairs were less than ideal. Unsuitable old steel that couldn’t be welded was used. A ship collision in 1972 added to the bridge’s woes. In 1985 a major overhaul was undertaken. The lifting mechanism was improved and the passage height increased to 53 meters. Yet even with this upgrade the bridge’s lifespan was estimated at only 15 to 20 years.
The Alte Rethebrücke served the city well for decades. But time and circumstances took their toll. It faced many challenges. After two cable breaks in 2009 all the cable sheaves were replaced. However a new bridge was planned. The newer and wider Retheklappbrücke eventually replaced the Alte Rethebrücke. Its demolition began in mid-September 2018. The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) conducted the demolition themselves. They couldn’t find a company willing to do the job at an acceptable price. So the era of the Alte Rethebrücke came to an end. Its story a testament to the evolving landscape of Hamburg. Its memory remains.