Fehmarn Sound Bridge - One of the World's Largest Network Arch Structures.

 

The Fehmarn Sound Bridge is one of the world's largest network arch structures. It has an overall length of 963 m, and a main span of 248 m. As a dual purpose bridge for road traffic and railway, the Fehmarn Sound Bridge connects the island of Fehmarn in the Baltic Sea with the German mainland near Grossenbrode. The Fehmarn Sound bridge was declared an historic monument in 1999 by the State Office for Protection of Historical Monuments of Schleswig-Holstein in Kiel, and has since become a symbol of both Fehmarn and Schleswig-Holstein. The bridge, often referred to by the locals as the "coat hanger", is an impressive structure and has long since become a landmark of Fehmarn.

 

 

As early as 1912 there were first considerations for a bridge. They wanted to create a railway connection to become independent of shipping. In 1941 the project was started by the organization Todt. However, in 1943, as a result of the Second World War, the long construction work had to be stopped completely. First 1960 the bridge construction was started again. The Fehmarn Sound Bridge was inaugurated in April 1963. In 1999, the building was finally declared a monument by the State Office for Monument Protection.

 

 

The bridge has a steel superstructure consisting of three smaller substructures. The bridge is almost one kilometre long and connects the island with the Schleswig-Holstein mainland. On a width of 21 metres the bridge offers sufficient space for a two-lane carriageway, a railway line and a sidewalk. Arrived on the holiday island there is a lot to experience: Windsurfing at the beach, walks along the Green Bring, sightseeing in the castle or bathing at Fehmarn Beach.

 

Name in local language: Fehmarnsundbrücke

Structure: Network Arch Bridge

Length: 963.40 m

Main span: 240 m

Function / usage: Road Bridge / Railroad (railway) Bridge

Material: Steel / Reinforced Concrete

Beginning of Works: 4 January 1960

Completion: 30 April 1963

Contractor: Deutsche Bundesbahn Bundesrepublik Deutschland

Architect: Gerd Lohmer

Inauguration of the Bridge: 30 April 1963

Inauguration of Puttgarden station and the entire Rail Line: 14 May 1963