Rahmedetal Bridge almost finished: Bridge party on the A45

The rest area is located between the Lüdenscheid-Mitte junction and the new structure, which is nearing completion after almost two years of construction. Several sources expect traffic to open before the end of the year. A realistic opening date would be December 2, 2025 – four years after the closure of the old bridge, which had to be taken out of service in 2021 due to serious damage. The bridge was originally scheduled to open in spring 2026, according to a report by the Westfälischer Anzeiger media group.

The event is open to the public and is scheduled to begin in the early afternoon. Several thousand visitors are expected from Lüdenscheid and the surrounding area. The location of the community festival was deliberately chosen: the Hunscheid rest area has restrooms, parking spaces, and sufficient space for a stage, regional restaurants, and presentations by local clubs. The motorway will remain closed during the event. Shuttle buses will be provided for access. The organizers are also examining how a safe view of the new bridge structure can be provided without disrupting the ongoing construction work.

The timing of the festival was chosen symbolically. October 4th marks almost exactly two years after the official groundbreaking ceremony for the new bridge construction, which was performed by then-Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing on October 5th, 2023. It also falls on the weekend after German Unity Day. According to Mayor Sebastian Wagemeyer, preparations are already in full swing. The civic festival is intended not only to be a sign of new beginnings, but also to highlight the importance of the restored transport link for the entire region.

The opening of the new Rahmede viaduct would end one of the most serious traffic disruptions on the German motorway network. The A 45, also known as the Sauerland line, is a central north-south route connecting the Ruhr region, central Hesse, and southern Bavaria. Since its full closure in December 2021, Lüdenscheid has been largely cut off from interregional traffic. The diversions via the A 1 and B 54 not only burden residents but, according to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also cause significant economic damage to businesses in the region.

Construction work on the new bridge is considered one of the fastest infrastructure projects of its size in Germany. Following the scheduled completion of the superstructure in spring 2025, work is currently underway on the roadway, guardrails, and traffic control systems. In parallel, the smaller "Tweerweg" bridge in the southern section is being renovated, as is the adjacent section of the A45. If it opens to traffic this December, the project would not only be a milestone in transport policy, but also an example of how approval and construction processes in the infrastructure sector can be significantly accelerated.