# Sternbrücke bridge replacement and rail restoration > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/european-large-steel-bridge-projects > Updated: 2026-08-31T03:58:51.000Z. Sources: 71. Developments: 6. Following the successful relocation of the 3,700-ton, 108-meter-long Sternbrücke in late July 2026, construction of the new structure in Hamburg’s Altona district has progressed. The project, managed by an association including SEH Engineering, Himmel u. Papesch Bauunternehmung, and Fr. Holst, involves replacing the century-old railway overpass with a modern, column-free arch construction. As of 31 August 2026, the new four-track bridge has officially reopened for rail traffic. The first regional and long-distance trains, including an ICE service to Basel and regional services from Kiel, successfully crossed the structure in the early hours of the morning. The bridge serves as a critical node in the German and European rail networks, facilitating approximately 900 to 1,000 regional, long-distance, and S-Bahn trains daily between Hamburg-Altona and the central station. Despite the resumption of rail services, local disruptions persist. Due to the requirement to exchange 10,000 tons of additional soil, several surrounding streets, including Stresemannstraße and Max-Brauer-Allee, are expected to remain closed for a period. Public reaction remains a point of discussion; earlier polls saw 56% of readers describe the 20-meter-high structure as “terrible” or a “monster bridge,” with ongoing criticism regarding its scale and its impact on the local urban environment and club scene, which lost several venues during the construction period. ## Claims - The bridge weighs roughly 3,685 to 3,700 tonnes of steel. (corroborated by 14 sources) - The bridge will be lifted to about six metres high using hydraulic cylinders. (corroborated by 14 sources) - The new Sternbrücke is 108 metres long and 21 metres high. (corroborated by 13 sources) - The narrowest clearance during transport was 40 cm at a balcony; other clearances were 80–90 cm. (corroborated by 13 sources) - The transport speed was about one kilometre per hour. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Eighty‑six trees were felled and street lanterns removed to clear the transport route. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Transport of the bridge began on Wednesday, 29 July 2026, one day earlier than planned. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Railway traffic is scheduled to resume at the end of August. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Max‑Brauer‑Allee was raised by about 60 cm and reinforced with steel plates for the transport. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Residents along the transport route have been temporarily housed in hotels and safety posts installed. (corroborated by 8 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-31: Sternbrücke railway bridge reopens in Hamburg Hamburg's new 3,700-ton Sternbrücke railway bridge has reopened, restoring vital rail connections for approximately 1,000 daily trains after months of intensive reconstruction. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hamburg-restores-rail-service-after-sternbrcke-bridge-replacement ### 2026-08-26: Hamburg begins construction of new Sternbrücke bridge The new Sternbrücke bridge in Hamburg's Altona district is being replaced with a 108-meter arch construction to modernize the critical railway junction. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hamburg-begins-construction-of-new-sternbrcke-bridge ### 2026-08-06: Hamburg's New Stern Bridge Faces Public Criticism Over Design Hamburg's new Stern Bridge, a 108 m steel structure, faces criticism: 56% of a t‑online poll call it terrible, while residents worry about lost club venues and urban impact; Deutsche Bahn says it will restore 1 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hamburgs-new-stern-bridge-faces-public-criticism-over-design ### 2026-07-31: Hamburg's New Sternbrücke Bridge Transport Completed Hamburg moved its 3,700‑ton Sternbrücke bridge through Altona and installed it over Stresemannstraße, marking a major rail‑infrastructure upgrade. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hamburgs-new-sternbrcke-bridge-transport-completed ### 2026-07-29: Hamburg moves 108‑metre steel Sternbrücke through Altona streets Hamburg’s 108‑m, 3,700‑t Sternbrücke is being moved through Altona on 48 SPMTs, requiring street raising, tree removal and tight clearances; completion expected end‑August with rail service to resume. 52 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hamburgs-new-stern-bridge-transport-begins ### 2026-07-05: Rader Hochbrücke to receive 118‑metre steel middle span in July The 118 m, 1,250‑t steel middle span of the Rader Hochbrücke will be lifted into place on 15‑16 July 2026, closing a section of the Nord‑Ostsee‑Kanal. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/heidelberg-lock-and-bonn-bridge-closures-strain-german-traffic --- Cite as: Sternbrücke bridge replacement and rail restoration. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/european-large-steel-bridge-projects