Fehmarn Sound Bridge
Template:Short description Template:Infobox Bridge
The Fehmarn Sound Bridge (Template:Langx) connects the German island of Fehmarn in the Baltic Sea with the German mainland near Großenbrode.[1]
Description
The Script error: No such module "convert". crossing includes the Script error: No such module "convert". network arch bridge which carries road and rail over the Script error: No such module "convert". Fehmarn Sound. Construction began in 1958 and the bridge was opened on April 30, 1963. The main span is Script error: No such module "convert". above the sea, which allows shipping to pass through. The bridge is constructed of steel and is Script error: No such module "convert". wide; Script error: No such module "convert". are used by Deutsche Bahn for a single rail track, part of the Lübeck–Puttgarden railway, the rest for a pedestrian walkway and two-lane roadway. The two steel arches, from which the central span is suspended by cables, are braced with steel cross-beams. The arches are Script error: No such module "convert". in length and reach Script error: No such module "convert". above the main deck of the bridge. The bridge was designed by engineers G. Fischer, T. Jahnke and P. Stein from the firm Gutehoffnungshütte Sterkrade AG, Oberhausen-Sterkrade. Architect Gerd Lohmer helped with the architectural design.
In 2023 there is a renovation of the bridge. For example, all steel wires are replaced.[2]
Route and ferry changes
At the same time as the opening of the bridge, changes were made to ferry services. The previous ferry service to the island of Fehmarn was discontinued. The service from Großenbrode Quay, Germany to Gedser, Denmark, crossing both Fehmarn Sound and the Fehmarn Belt, was replaced with a new service from Puttgarden (on Fehmarn) to Rødby, Denmark crossing just the Fehmarn Belt. The new bridge and ferry changes brought about a substantial time saving for both road and rail traffic along the so-called Vogelfluglinie (literally "bird flight line") from Hamburg to Copenhagen.
Historic monument
The Fehmarn Sound bridge was declared a historic monument in 1999 by the State Office for Protection of Historical Monuments of Schleswig-Holstein in Kiel, and has since become a symbol of both Fehmarn and Schleswig-Holstein.
Cold War explosive charges
As the bridge was built during the Cold War, six explosive vaults were embedded below the approach road on the mainland side to be used in case of invasion. Their location is given away even today by six square asphalt patches. The vaults were connected to a control point about Script error: No such module "convert". away in Heinrichsruh.
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Fehmarn Sound bridge viewed from the west
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Fehmarn Sound bridge viewed from land (from south)
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Six asphalt patches over former explosive charge vaults
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Fehmarn Sound bridge seen from east
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Fehmarn sound bridge seen from south. In use as a road bridge, rail bridge and with bike path
Future
A Fehmarn Belt Tunnel is under construction between Denmark and Germany, with four lanes (2+2) and double track railway.[3] But according to the agreement between the two countries, the Fehmarn Sound bridge can remain as it is, one lane per direction and a single railway track.[4]
In December 2012 a study was published saying that the bridge could not cope with the increased railway and road traffic expected after the tunnel opening.[5]
In 2020 it was decided to build a four lane, double track railway Fehmarn Sound Tunnel to carry most of the increased traffic. However, the bridge will still remain in place for pedestrians and local road traffic.[6]
See also
References
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- ↑ Fehmarnsund: Deutsche Bahn bereitet Seil-Tausch vor
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- ↑ Aftalememorandum af 29. juni 2007Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:In lang.
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Originally published in EISENBAHN-Kurier SPECIAL 53, Freiburg 1997.
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External links
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