Elbbrücken (Hamburg)

In particular, the term refers to several parallel railroad and road bridges over River Elbe in central Hamburg, divided into Norderelbbrücken (Northern Elbe bridges) and Süderelbbrücken (Southern Elbe bridges).

They emerged from the first crossings over River Elbe, and today, due to the low headroom, form a barrier east of the Port of Hamburg which can't be passed by sea ships.

The bridges constitute an important link within the city-state of Hamburg and connect the districts north of the Elbe, including the inner city of Hamburg with the Wilhelmsburg, the Veddel and the port area as well as with the borough of Harburg to the south of the Elbe and the region beyond.

In addition, the Elbe bridges have a significant national function as a north-south link in European rail traffic and within the crossings of the federal motorways (A 1, A 253) and federal highways (B 4 / B 75).

In the entire Hamburg city area, all road signs to Neue Elbbrücke (New Elbe Bridge) and Brücke des 17.

Map of Hamburg Elbe crossings, specific Elbbrücken are marked in red over Norderelbe and Süderelbe
The Norderelbbrücken, commonly referred to simply as Elbbrücken
The Neue Elbbrücke was originally decorated with two neogothic towers before these were destroyed during the bridge's widening in 1959.