- Bushes and bombs - difficult rehabilitation of the Elbe Highway
Despite several large unexploded ordnances from World War II, a popular hiking trail along the Elbe river in Hamburg-Rissen could potentially be restored. The Fire Department's Ordnance Disposal Service deemed the danger of these unexploded ordnances low, as reported by the Senate in response to a minor inquiry by CDU member of parliament Anke Frieling. These 4500-pound bombs, produced by Britain, were equipped with a kind of rocket propulsion to strike bunkers at high speeds.
Six Unexploded Bombs
Six unexploded ordnances of this type are believed to be buried more than 30 meters deep. Recovery and defusing would be challenging and costly, the Senate added. The Otto-Schokoll-Hiking Trail had partially collapsed in February 2016. A resident filed a lawsuit against its restoration. After the lawsuit failed, the Altona district office announced in November last year that it would build a 300-meter long and three-meter wide steel bridge over the collapsed section. This five million euro project was to be implemented as soon as possible.
Authority Investigates Changed Vegetation
In a procedure without significant vibrations, the steel structure could potentially be built, according to the Ordnance Disposal Service's assessment. However, the traffic authority led by Anjes Tjarks (Greens) is now investigating whether the trail could be restored in its original form. The reason: the vegetation on the slope has changed. Several years have passed since the first examination of the slope's stability and habitats of rare animals. CDU member Frieling fears: "The Otto-Schokoll-Hiking Trail was left untouched until lizards settled in. Now, an excuse is being sought to postpone the construction of a replacement for the Otto-Schokoll-Hiking Trail again."
The proposed steel bridge for the Otto-Schokoll-Hiking Trail will be constructed over the collapsed section on the Highway leading to Altona district. Despite the assessment that the construction can be done with minimal vibrations, concerns about the changed vegetation and potential impact on rare animal habitats have led the traffic authority to investigate the possibility of restoring the trail in its original form.
