Starting Monday, October 20, traffic can drive over the newly built section of the Talbrücke Sterbecke near Schalksmühle on the A45 for the first time. After two and a half years of construction, traffic will flow again over the 265-meter-long bridge. The release is announced by the Federal Autobahn GmbH.
The Talbrücke Sterbecke on the A45 between Dortmund and Frankfurt marks a milestone in the reconstruction of the Sauerlandlinie. The western section, demolished in May 2023, has now been fully rebuilt. It incorporates 14,000 cubic meters of concrete and 2,000 tons of steel. The superstructure is a prestressed concrete box girder, constructed section by section using a launching truss. 250 tons of prestressing steel provide additional stability.
Additionally, the two-kilometer access road was renewed, including the road surface and drainage. Immediately after the release on October 20, preparations for the demolition of the eastern half will begin. The demolition is scheduled for early 2026. All measures aim to prepare for the six-lane expansion of the A45.
Currently, the A45 near Lüdenscheid remains closed until early 2026 due to the new construction of the Rahmede valley bridge. Traffic on this important north-south route is being diverted, leading to delays.