U4: Leap across the Elbe takes shape

An elegant bridge with carbon elements spanning the Elbe, an elevated steel viaduct for the subway line and a subway station floating above Moldauhafen – this is how the extension of the U4 line to Grasbrook is to look. This is the result of an interdisciplinary realization competition for architects and engineers, which Hamburger Hochbahn AG (HOCHBAHN) had put out to tender for the extension of the U4.

The winning design by the consortium of schlaich bergermann partner, gmp Architekten von Gerkan, Marg und Partner and WTM Engineers GmbH Hamburg was presented at today's press event hosted by Hamburger Hochbahn. The event, which was also attended by Dr. Andreas Kleinau, Chairman of the Management Board of HafenCity Hamburg GmbH, took place at a prominent location: On the viewing platform at the vantage point at the subway station Elbbrücken, with a direct view of the historic Freihafenelbbrücken, the future course of the extended U4 line to Grasbrook, where the first construction activities can already be seen.

A total of eight planning teams, each comprising one to three architecture and engineering firms, took part. The task: What should the route of the U4 from Elbbrücken to Grasbrook, including the bridge, viaduct and subway station, look like? Suggestions and comments from the HOCHBAHN public participation process also had to be taken into account.
In addition to the challenge of integrating the new Elbe bridge into the historical ensemble of the existing Elbbrücken, the design had to address the themes of old and new, port and city, south and north. The requirements for a slender and restrained design that is both user-friendly and comfortable were also essential.

The extension of the U4 line to Grasbrook will provide the new district with an optimal connection to the public transport network. In the coming years, 3,000 apartments for around 6,000 people and 16,000 jobs are to be built here. A diverse social infrastructure will also be created on the approximately 50-hectare site through the construction of daycare centers and an elementary school, various local amenities as well as sports, cultural and green spaces.

At the same time, residents of the neighboring Veddel will benefit from the new subway connection. There will also be attractive solutions for cyclists and pedestrians. The new Elbe bridge will have separate lanes for them next to the subway tracks. The special highlight of the new subway station Moldauhafen: the level below the subway line will provide barrier-free access to the station as well as a connection for cyclists and pedestrians between Moldauhafenquartier and Hafentorquartier .

"The excellent accessibility of the new Grasbrook district by public transport is a key element in the implementation of a modern mobility concept that will enable us to realize the idea of a 10-minute district. People who live or work there will no longer have to rely on their own cars in the future. The most important element for this is the extension of the U4 to Grasbrook. The subway station will be built centrally in the new district and – uniquely in Hamburg – will float on stilts in the water of Moldauhafenbecken, thus connecting both the two new quarters on Grasbrook and Veddel to the U4 via direct access from the Veddel Bridge." Andreas Kleinau, Chairman of the Management Board of HafenCity Hamburg GmbH

HOCHBAHN will be exhibiting the winning design and the designs of the second- and third-place finishers from June 3 to July 2 at the Elbbrücken station. Further information can also be found at www.schneller-durch-hamburg.de.