Gigantic tunnel transport: 22,000 tons on the Weser!

Gigantic tunnel transport: 22,000 tons on the Weser!

A huge piece of infrastructure is embarking on its journey: The first tunnel section for the new Weser Tunnel, a 22,000-ton and 120-meter-long concrete element, was successfully transported across the Weser. On the night of November 3rd, the gigantic component set off from the Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven, accompanied by three tugs and an escort ship. The destination: the industrial port in Bremen, where the tunnel parts will be stored until final assembly. This transport is not only a technical masterpiece, but is also part of one of the largest transport projects in the northwest region of Germany.

“There’s something going on” – that particularly applies to this mission. The transport route stretches over around 60 kilometers and leads through two locks, with the tug captains and pilots bearing great responsibility. The passage through the Blexer Bogen and the Oslebshauser lock, where the space is extremely narrow, was particularly challenging. In addition, various weather conditions must be taken into account, as the transport is stopped at wind force 4. “A green light” was given by the relatively mild winds during the journey, which made transport easier and was considered advantageous, according to n-tv.de.

More than just a piece of tunnel

The Weser Tunnel is not drilled like the Hamburg Elbe Tunnel, but a trench is dredged in the Weser in order to lower the elements and connect them to each other. A total of six of these 120 meter long parts are required for the project. The first preparatory construction work for the crossing under the Weser has been underway since 2019. The entire route, which will link the A27 and A1 motorways in the Bremen city area, is scheduled for completion in 2030.

What is hidden behind the Weser Tunnel? This tunnel will significantly improve the connection of important traffic flows in the region. By linking sections of the A281, a more efficient transport infrastructure will be created that meets the demands of increasing traffic. The company Wayss & Freytag, a subsidiary of the Bremer Zech Group, is responsible for transporting the huge parts on behalf of Deges.

Innovations in tunnel construction

The Weser Tunnel is not only a huge structure, but also a prime example of current methods in tunnel construction. Support for planning, advice and monitoring is provided by companies such as Sweco, which specialize in developing individual solutions for complex projects. This includes the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM), which enables early identification of difficulties and improves the visualization of projects.

A successful infrastructure project that not only overcomes technical challenges, but also lays the foundation for the region's transport future. Stay tuned, because another huge piece built in the shipyard will be transported on Thursday.

A real eye-catcher on the Weser, which shows that “a good hand” is demonstrated here for further construction projects. The anticipation for the Weser Tunnel is increasing and we can only look forward to seeing how things will develop further.

Find out regularly about the progress of this fascinating construction project, which will significantly change the landscape and traffic in Bremen. Follow developments in the coming weeks and months!