Rader Hochbrücke bridge segment installed over Nord-Ostsee Canal

On the night of 6‑7 July 2026, engineers lifted the 118‑metre long, 1 250‑ton steel segment of the new Rader Hochbrücke into position over the Nord‑Ostsee Canal. The piece was raised about 50 metres by a set of heavyweight cranes and hydraulic presses while the canal was temporarily closed to shipping. Project leader Martin Steinkühler warned that “the biggest risk in such a lift is the wind,” but added that conditions were expected to be favourable. DEGES spokesperson Ulf Evert confirmed that “the lift was successful, the piece fits.” The operation required nighttime work to exploit the lower temperatures, which keep the steel and concrete contracted and enlarge the gap for insertion. The canal reopened at 10:00 UTC. The new bridge, part of the A7 upgrade, is slated to carry traffic by the end of 2026, with the first half costing €307 million and the total programme around €900 million. The structure is designed for a 100‑year service life; the old bridge will be demolished and a second new span built from 2028 onwards.