New Rader Hochbrücke on A7 Near Rendsburg Reaches Key Construction Milestone

The first half of the new Rader Hochbrücke, spanning the Nord-Ostsee Canal on the A7 Autobahn near Rendsburg, is set to be opened to traffic by the end of the year. Deutsche Einheit Fernstraßenplanungs‑ und‑bau GmbH (Deges) announced that the 118‑metre, 1,250‑tonne central span will be lowered into place this week, completing the high‑level section of the 1,500‑metre bridge. Deges spokesperson Ulf Evert called the achievement a “masterpiece” and noted that the bridge will provide three lanes in each direction, improving a major transit corridor between Germany and Scandinavia.

Construction began in April 2023 after a 2013 inspection revealed severe wear on the previous structure, which had been restricted to lighter traffic. The project, costing several hundred million euros, also includes noise and wind shielding over a 5.3‑kilometre stretch. The old bridge will be demolished in 2025, with the second half of the new bridge slated for construction from 2028 to 2031, pending continued funding.