Wesertunnel
The Weser tunnel since 2004 across gently than the Weser part of the B 437 connects the Lower Saxon counties Wesermarsch and Cuxhaven. It is 1.6 km long and its deepest point is 40 meters below sea level. North of Bremen, he is the only fixed crossing of the Weser. He shortened the fixed road link between the coastal cities of Bremerhaven and Nordenham to a fraction.
Architectural History
Several variants of the Weser tunnel were planned in the 1960s as part of a coastal highway. When it was officially abandoned, the plans were pursued as an independent structure. The former red-green state government put in the early 1990s with regard to the smaller coalition partners take the regional character of proof but was held to a form suitable for long-distance traffic dimensioning. Since the departure of the Greens from the state government, he is back as part of the planned coastal highway ( former A22, now A20 ) is considered, leading up from the river Elbe at Stade on the Weser tunnel up to the A 28 at Westerstede. However, the plans for this are controversial in parts of the population and the conservation organizations. The state government promotes the planning, while the federal government is restrained.
The Weser tunnel was officially released after a construction period of six years on 20 January 2004 for traffic. The cost of construction amounted to approximately 275 million euros (which would today represent approximately 320 million euros ). Among other things, due to the absence of the previously prevailing ferry traffic, coupled with the loss of jobs, the construction of the tunnel has been controversial since the start of planning.
Ferries
The Kleinensiel - Dedesdorf ferry service was discontinued with the opening of the tunnel on 20 January 2004 by 24 clock. The Dedesdorf ferry was sold to Bremen and now operates under the name Vegesack on the ferry Lemwerder -Vegesack. The Urban land ferry was first used on the ferry Brake Sandstedt, but later sold to Romania and operates now on the Danube.
The Golzwarden - Sandstedt ferry has clearly lost its relevance, two ferries (MF Wesermarsch and MF Golzwarden ) of the local site was sold. First, there was an attempt on the route Golzwarden - Sandstedt in 2005 completely adjust the ferry. However, there was a privatization by several captains of the ferry founded a company and continue to lead the operation with the MF Kleinensiel. The Weserfähre Nordenham - Bremerhaven continues, but with marked losses of the transport numbers. By eliminating the ferry, the situation has changed, especially for non-motorized road users, because the tunnel is closed for pedestrians and cyclists. However, new bus services have been established through the tunnel, seasonal allow for bicycle transport between 9 and 17.30 clock.
Vehicular importance
The Traffic Club Germany (VCD) drew early 2005, the balance sheet, the Weser tunnel has lagged far behind the overall expectations. In particular, the labor market balance had failed sobering. The Weser tunnel have been at least 70 jobs cost (not only on the Weser ferry ), and neither the Lower Saxony Ministry of Economic Affairs nor the Commerce and Industry Chamber of Oldenburg had been able to show positive employment effects. The prepared business parks near the Weser tunnel stood partially empty yet.
After specifying the Lower Saxony Ministry of Transport in 2005 drove about 11,500 vehicles per day through the tunnel; the forecast for the year 2010 traffic volume was approximately 20,000 vehicles daily. Compared with the traffic volumes, which have been transported by the end of 2003 on the three northern Weser ferry (along i M. approximately 5,500 vehicles per day) is thus the expected traffic increase, from an invigorating effect was expected for the economic development, already occurred.
Safety tests
In a tunnel test of the ADAC Weser 2004, the tunnel was " very good". The smoke detector of the Weser tunnel but also react with heavy fog, which on several occasions that caused the tunnel was completely blocked.
Gallery
Opening ceremony
The lowest point