Across the Elbe’s expanse stands Hochstrasse Elbmarsch a marvel of engineering. This isn’t just any bridge. It’s Germany’s longest road bridge a testament to human ingenuity. Hochstrasse Elbmarsch stretches for an impressive 4258 meters. That’s longer than four kilometers. Imagine the scale.
Built between 1971 and 1974 Hochstrasse Elbmarsch became an essential part of the A7 Autobahn. It carries the steady flow of traffic connecting Hamburg to the world beyond. This behemoth carries six lanes of traffic a constant hum of movement above the industrial heart of the city. Hochstrasse Elbmarsch connects Hamburg-Moorburg to the New Elbe Tunnel.
Before the Saale-Elster-Talbrucke railway bridge was built Hochstrasse Elbmarsch held the title of Germany’s longest bridge. This is a fact often overlooked. It’s a remarkable feat of construction. The bridge gracefully spans the Elbmarsch a low-lying marshland with significant industrial and port facilities. The bridge itself consists of two sections. The main bridge stretches 3840 meters. The connecting ramp adds another 418 meters.
The design is ingenious. The main structure consists of two 17.75-meter-wide sections. Each section is 2.10 meters high. The supports are spaced 35 meters apart. This is a masterful combination of functionality and aesthetics. These sections utilize a plate girder cross-section. They’re supported by four prestressed concrete beams. These long beams rest on 1.1-meter-high 2.0-meter-wide crossbeams. These crossbeams support three round pillars spaced 6.6 meters apart. The pillars are 1.3 meters in diameter and are anchored in bored piles.
The construction was a feat in itself. The substructure with its crossbeams and pillars is made from cast-in-place concrete. The approximately 1000 longitudinal beams were prefabricated. Each weighed approximately 110 tons. A specially designed mounting device was used to position them. Producing a single beam took a day. Around 40 beams were manufactured monthly.
Now Hochstrasse Elbmarsch is undergoing a major upgrade. This is one of the largest bridge modernization projects in Germany. Started in 2022 the project is expected to take six years. The expansion will add two more lanes. One lane in each direction. Even with the added lanes a two-meter gap between the roadways will remain.
Hochstrasse Elbmarsch is more than just a bridge. It’s a landmark a symbol of Hamburg’s industrial past and its continuing growth. Its story is one of ambition innovation and enduring resilience. As we continue our tour let’s remember this engineering marvel that silently watches over the Elbe.