Germany: Traffic restrictions on the Norderelbe Bridge on the A1

As part of the expansion of the A1, work has begun on the new Norderelbe Bridge, which is to connect Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg with Rothenburgsort. Its construction is scheduled to be completed in 2029-2030, but in the meantime it is necessary to ensure the safety and stability of the existing bridge. For this reason, the Norderelbe Bridge will be completely closed for several days from 14 March.

Traffic restrictions on the Norderelbe Bridge

To relieve the most important elements of the bridge, including the supports and lanes, traffic organization will be changes as follows:
➡️ Existing road markings will be moved to the left in order to relieve the outermost lane, the service path and the barriers;
➡️ a 60 km/h speed limit, especially for trucks, will be imposed in order to protect the bridge structure;
➡️ an overtaking ban for trucks and an obligation to maintain a distance of 50 meters between vehicles, even in the event of traffic jams.
➡️ speed and distance will be constantly monitored.

Despite these restrictions, vehicles transporting abnormal loads can still pass across the bridge provided such journeys have been previously registrated and approved.

Changes in traffic organization on the A1 in Hamburg

Additional measures have been introduced to ensure the smooth flow of HGV traffic, including:
➡️ an overtaking ban on the A1 will be extended from the HH-Harburg junction (38) to the HH-Moorfleet junction (34) beyond the Norderelbe bridge,
➡️ The road connecting A255 RiFa Süd with the A1 RiFa Lübeck at the Norderelbe triangle will be closed to vehicles with a GVW over 7.5 tonnes which will be diverted via the HH-Harburg junction (38).

The bridge will be completely closed in both directions over the weekend:

➡️ from 10:00 p.m. on Friday, March 14, to 5:00 a.m. on Monday, March 17,

Diversions:
➡️ Southbound traffic: from the HH-Billstedt junction (33) via the B5, B75 and A255 to the A1 (diversion U26).
➡️ northbound traffic: from the Norderelbe junction (36) via the A255, B75 and B5 to the HH-Billstedt junction (33) (diversion U85).
➡️ Diversions for drivers heading towards the B75: via the A255, B75 and B5 to the HH-Billstedt junction (33).
➡️ For drivers heading for Bremen: Exit at the HH-Südost junction (1), towards Lübeck and then diversion via the HH-Billstedt junction (33).

Further work and closures in 2025

More closures and maintenance works are planned on the Norderelbe bridge in the future, including:
➡️ 25-28 April: closure of RiFa-Nord to replace temporary structures.
➡️ 9-12 May: asphalt renovation on the Norderelbe Bridge.
➡️ 23-26 May: closure of RiFa Süd, replacement of temporary structures.

The progress of work on the Norderelbe Bridge largely depends on the weather. If the work cannot be completed in March, an alternative weekend will be scheduled. In this case, the work will be carried out from 10 p.m. on April 11 to 5 a.m. on April 14.