This was considered the major obstacle as the ships were unable to overtake and could pass each other at dedicated enlarged areas so that the traffic on the entire canal was hampered.

The required maximum incline of 1:150 (a one-metre gain in altitude for every 150 metres in distance) made it necessary to build elevated embankments and access bridges of about 5.5 km (3.4 mi) at each side.

[2] The total cost of the construction, including the relocation of railway lines but excluding work related to the elevation of Rendsburg station, was 13.4 million Mark.

In recent years the nominal transport capacity has been reduced from six to four automobiles in order to factor in increased car size and weight.

[3] During a storm in January 1993, the unmanned and unlit gondola broke loose at night, was blown over the canal and collided with a ship.