Waiting for the RAW tunnel: new opening date in Wittenberge!

Waiting for the RAW tunnel: new opening date in Wittenberge!

There is always news from Wittenberge, especially when it comes to large construction projects that have a decisive influence on the traffic structure. The opening of the RAW tunnel in Hartwigstrasse had to be postponed somewhat late, from the end of June to July 10th, but preparations for it are now running according to plan. There have been repeated delays in recent months, not least due to unauthorized access to the construction site by bicycles and motor vehicles, which caused additional damage and extended the construction period. These measures are part of comprehensive renovation work on State Road 11 between Breese and Weisen, which has been closed to traffic since the end of March. Both the road and the cycle path are being renewed here. Thanks to the current progress in construction work, the opening of the tunnel is now within reach.

But this is not the only major construction project in the region. The B189 road in the Altmark, which is always in focus due to its size and speed, is also currently being brought into shape. Although there are narrowed lanes and traffic light regulations, the new 11-kilometer-long section of the A14 between Wittenberge and Seehausen-Nord is also taking shape. How Northern Courier reported, the access to the B195 towards Cumlosen and Lenzen will be accessible again from August.

Completion and costs

The entire motorway project is estimated to cost around 2.3 billion euros and includes 155 kilometers, which are expected to be fully accessible by the end of 2027. The costs for the section between Seehausen-Nord and Wittenberge alone amount to around 513 million euros. The Elbe Bridge, a 412 meter long steel structure, is one of the most expensive individual items, costing an estimated 182 million euros. In addition, around 150 construction workers are working on removing 2.1 million cubic meters of soil to advance the project.

The development of this transport infrastructure also focuses on the challenges facing road construction in Germany as a whole. In 2023, sales in road construction amounted to more than 13 billion euros, although an overall decline of almost two billion euros was recorded. This development shows how important sustainable investment in road construction is to keep traffic flowing while ensuring the safety of road users. The federal government even plans to increase investments in this area to almost 9.8 billion euros by 2028, which represents a forward-looking step to further expand and modernize the federal highway network, which currently covers around 13,200 kilometers Statista determines.

Overall, it can be said that both the opening of the RAW tunnel and the ongoing work on the large motorway projects in and around Wittenberge are sending an example: the region is continuing to invest in its transport infrastructure and is optimistic about the future.