Together with Achim Grossmann , Secretary of State (Federal Ministry of Transport) and Undersecretary Joachim Naumann (Federal Ministry of Transport), the Minister of Transport, Dietrich Austermann , drove the first pile for the new Stör Bridge on January 10, 2007 at the Sandweg on the Heiligenstedt premises. The bridge is to be completed in August 2009. Contract value: EUR 26 million.
The Schleswig-Holstein state corporation awarded the contract to the joint venture “Arge Stör-brücke Itzehoe,” comprised of Alpine Bau Deutschland AG , Halle-Leipzig branch, and KSH Stahlbau Hannover GmbH , in July 2006, with “Alpine” Halle-Leipzig in charge of the technical management.
The earthwork for the new roadway is practically completed, according to Dr. Heinz Dressel, head of the state’s Road Construction and Transport corporation. Now the piles for the new bridge need to be driven: a total of 800 piles will be driven 20 m into the ground composed of peat, clay and loose sand – twice as deep as the piles for the existing bridge.
This was the second celebration under the flying state and national flag after the ground-breaking ceremony for the enlargement of the B5 / B204 highways to motorway 23 in March 2006. Dieter Austermann explained: “This project is of such magnitude that we would like to enjoy the full impact of each individual contract section.” Achim Grossmann emphasized that an axis of international significance was being developed.
Backed by an expert’s opinion, it was high time for the 40-year-old structure to be replaced by a new bridge. “It will be a milestone for the highway infrastructure in Schleswig-Holstein.” And this should continue – just as the enhancement of the infrastructure on the west coast. The B 5 in Denmark should have three lanes soon. Economic upswing is also taking effect on the west coast, according to the Minister.
Annotation: An additional order was subsequently placed with Alpine’s Halle-Leipzig Branch by the City of Itzehoe (in December 2006) for civil engineering works having a contract value of EUR 7 million.