While this may look modern, this week’s Pic looks at the Itzehoe Arch Bridge spanning the River Stör right before the exit Itzehoe-Mitte. The shot was taken right after a major storm passed through, providing high winds and torrential downpours which almost forced us to pull off the West Coast Highway (Motorway 23). It was a day where the weather changed at short notice, from sun to rain and back. In between, high winds- typical of North Sea weather.
As for this bridge itself, the structure was built in 2015 as part of the plan to upgrade Highway B5 into a motorway. It replaced a steel girder bridge dating back to 1971 that carried only two lanes of traffic. The project began in 2010 with the construction of the southbound arch span and viaduct. It was completed in 2012. After the 1971 span was demolished, the northbound span followed in its place, which was completed in 2015. The upgrade which bypassed Itzehoe was finished one year later. The new structure is 1.15 kilometers long, with the arch span having a length of 120 meters per direction. Since then, the Motorway 23 has 94 kilometers of four lane freeway traffic from Hamburg to Heide, all along the North Sea coast. Hence the term West Coast Highway, but not like the one in the United States (the US Highway 101).
While travelling along the West Coast Highway, one should visit some of the popular resort towns located along the North Sea. From Büsum to Husum, Friedrichstadt to the Halligen Region, each region has its own heritage and has a lot of things to offer. Also in Denmark, there are vast opportunities to enjoy the North Sea, with its high and low tides, plus their beaches, landscapes and sports hobbies for everyone to enjoy. 🙂
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The Bridgehunter's Chronicles 