Ceremonial inauguration: New bridge over the Finow Canal in Finowfurt!

Ceremonial inauguration: New bridge over the Finow Canal in Finowfurt!

On July 10, 2025, a new pedestrian and cyclist bridge over the Finow Canal was ceremoniously inaugurated in Finowfurt. A ceremonial paper cutting took place at the opening, which was attended by numerous representatives of the municipality of Schorfheide, the Barnim district and the Finowfurt local council. During the ceremony, Mayor Wilhelm Westerkamp recalled the abrupt demolition of the old bridge on July 9, 2021, which was intended to ensure a smooth connection between residential and commercial areas. The new bridge has been long-awaited by the region's residents as it finally provides an important connection to the Schloßgutsiedlung.

Work on the new bridge began on April 24, 2025 and was completed on June 30, 2025. A total of seven bridge parts, manufactured by the Busmann company from Schüttorf, were assembled between May 17th and 19th, 2025. The bridge is a truss steel structure with a width of 2.50 meters, which is exclusively accessible to pedestrians, cyclists and electric vehicles. The railing and planking are made of high-quality Bongossi wood, a material that is characterized by its durability.

Financing and costs

The total investment for the bridge project amounts to 927,000 euros. Loud Barnim Current The municipality of Schorfheide contributed around 307,000 euros, the district development budget with 390,000 euros and the cycle path program of the Barnim district with 230,000 euros towards the costs. In his speech, District Administrator Daniel Kurth emphasized the importance of the district's financial support, which made this project possible.

The preparations for the replacement building are well planned. The municipality of Schorfheide reported that construction work for the pedestrian and cyclist bridge began on March 26, 2025 and the towpath was closed for the duration of the work. A bypass route has already been signposted on site to offer residents and visitors alternative routes. This forward-looking planning ensures that construction work runs smoothly and minimizes disruption to citizens.

Importance for the region

The new bridge is not only a structural upgrade, but also a sign of a sustainable transport infrastructure project and supports transport connections for cyclists. The current discussion about transport planning in Germany makes it clear how important such measures are. On platforms like Mobility Forum Alternative funding for cycling measures is offered, which further increases interest in such projects. The new bridge in Finowfurt could serve as a positive example for similar initiatives in other regions.

This means that something is happening around the Finow Canal not only for the infrastructure, but also for the quality of life of the residents. The bridge now offers safe and quick access to important areas of life and underlines the community and district's commitment to modern mobility in rural areas.