Rethe-Klappbrücke, Bascule bridge in Wilhelmsburg, Germany.
The Rethe-Klappbrücke is a two-level bascule bridge in Wilhelmsburg that carries both rail and road traffic across the Rethe River. Its two independent leaves rise and lower together to allow ships to pass through the channel below.
This bridge replaced an earlier lift structure from 1934 and underwent major modernization in the early 2000s. It began operating in stages starting in 2016 and received its full inauguration in 2017.
The bridge design reflects Hamburg's maritime heritage while serving as a central connection point for the industrial and commercial activities of the port district.
The bridge opens several times daily to allow ship passage, which means road and rail traffic is regularly interrupted. Pedestrians and cyclists should expect temporary closures when vessels need to pass through.
The channel beneath the bridge was widened during reconstruction to accommodate larger vessels. This improvement made the structure more functional for modern maritime traffic in the port.
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