Construction of the Weser Tunnel Commissioned: Important Step for Completion of A 281 Autobahn
On 28 July 2023, the German state-owned project management institution DEGES (Deutsche Einheit Fernstraßenplanungs- und -bau GmbH) awarded the contract for the construction of the 1.7 km Weser Tunnel along the A 281 highway (Autobahn) to a consortium led by Wayss & Freytag Ingenieurbau AG.
The four-lane A 281 construction project is to connect the federal highways A 1 and A 27 in the north-western urban area of Bremen. The A 281 serves to relieve the congestion on both highways as well as on the urban feeder roads. The future crossing of the Weser by the A 281 will improve traffic for the entire north-west German region, especially in the area of the Bremen motorway junction. Its connection to the international long-distance road network makes it important for the development of the Bremen freight transport centre (GVZ), the ports and Bremen Airport.
The 1.7 km long Weser Tunnel on the A 281 motorway in Bremen is to be built by 2029 at a cost of around 775 million euros
Credit/Quelle: DEGES
Immersed Tunnel To Be Built for 775 Million Euros
For DEGES, the chosen method of a floating immersed tunnel has two main advantages: It is the more economical option compared to a bored tunnel. In addition, the elements can be prefabricated off-site simultaneously in nearby Bremerhaven, leading to a considerable reduction in construction time.
The tunnel project is expected to cost around 775 million euros; this is almost twice as much as estimated at the outset of the planning. The new cost calculation is based on the strongly increased construction costs including assumed future price increases. According to the preliminary construction schedule, the crossing is expected to be opened to traffic in early 2029.
