Federal Government Pledges Support for New Rader High Bridge Construction

Schleswig-Holstein's Minister of Transport, Claus Ruhe Madsen, expressed relief following assurances from the German federal government regarding the financing of the second construction phase of the new Rader High Bridge. "We very much welcome the fact that the federal government continues to stand behind the project and that construction is to continue as planned," Madsen, a member of the CDU party, told the German Press Agency.

The state government stated that the federal government remains committed to the entire replacement project for the Rader High Bridge, explicitly including the second part. The Ministry of Transport cited statements from the Chancellery for this confirmation. "We must not allow a bottleneck to develop here again. The backing from Berlin is an important signal," Madsen emphasized. Construction of the second bridge section is slated to commence immediately after the first is completed.

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We very much welcome the fact that the federal government continues to stand behind the project and that construction is to continue as planned.

Previously, the Federal Ministry of Transport indicated that the financing for the second bridge section was not yet secured. The ministry had stated in response to a dpa inquiry that current funding levels did not fully cover ongoing projects, citing the budgetary situation. "The Federal Ministry of Transport, together with the Federal Highway Company, will continue to work with determination for the successful realization of the still urgent six-lane expansion of the A7 near Rendsburg, including the complete replacement of the Rader High Bridge."

The new structure, along with the six-lane expansion of the A7 from the Rendsburg interchange south of the canal to the Büdelsdorf exit north of the waterway, and the demolition of the old bridge, is expected to cost nearly 900 million euros. The first section alone accounts for 307 million euros. The construction of the second section is scheduled for completion in 2031. The completion of the first section of the bridge was achieved in mid-July. After it opens to traffic, the demolition of the old bridge is set to begin in 2027, followed by the construction of the second bridge section in 2028, according to the federal project management company Deges.

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We must not allow a bottleneck to develop here again. The backing from Berlin is an important signal.