Existed: 2002 – present Constructed 2002 | States: Lower Saxony, Hamburg Length 50 km | |
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Bundesautobahn 26 (translates from German as Federal Motorway 26, short form Autobahn 26, abbreviated as BAB 26 or A 26) is an autobahn in northwestern Germany. Construction of a first, 12 kilometres long section started 2002 and was opened on 23 October 2008.
Contents
Opened section
The first section between Stade and Horneburg started construction in 2002. It was opened gradually between 5 August and 23 October 2008.
Part of the second section connecting Horneburg with Jork was finished mid 2014 but open only to west bound motor bikes and passenger cars since 28 November 2014 and east bound since 17 July 2015.
Construction
The remaining stretch of the second section is under construction and will further connect Jork with Buxtehude and cross the river Este. It is planned to open with the third section.
The third section will connect Buxtehude with Neu Wulmstorf/Rübke. First construction started 5 September 2013. It is planned to open by 2020. Due to the missing connection of the A26 towards A7 and Hamburg north bound on ramp and off ramp traffic is expected to harm Rübke and thus the ramp will not open until the connection is finished.
Planning phase
The fourth section is planned to connect Neu Wulmstorf with the A7 at a new interlink 'Hamburg-Süderelbe'. Start of construction is unknown.
A fifth section is planned to connect Stade with Drochtersen and the planned extension of the A20 across the river Elbe.
The so-called 'Hafenquerspange' is planned as an east–west connection south of the Elbe between A7, A253 and A1. It will involve a new bridge to replace the aging Köhlbrand Bridge. Optimistisc plans estimate opening this section as early as 2017.