Magdeburg water bridge can rightfully claim to be a revolutionary breakthrough in bridge construction. The idea to build a navigable bridge that would connect Berlin with the ports on the Rhine River, originated in the distant 1870s. Prior to the creation of a specific project it came only in 1920.
Construction was delayed during the First and Second World Wars. After Germany was divided at the beginning of the Cold War, the construction of the bridge was indefinitely postponed by the Government of the GDR. With the unification of Germany, his erection again become a major concern. Construction began in 1997 and was completed six years later, in October 2003. On the bridge were put huge amounts of money, more than half a billion euros. But the miracle built a bridge worth it.
Spread over the Elbe, and began to operate a unique bridge-aqueduct, which connected the Elbe-Havel and Mittelland Canal. The total length of the bridge 918 meters, 690 meters from the above land, and the remaining 228 meters - above the water. Bridge builders started up the canal bridge. Channel width is equal to the canal on a bridge 34 meters and the depth of 4.25 meters, enough for unhindered passage of ships that "go" with the Berlin internal ports to ports in the industrial district on the Rhine.
The bridge, though, and is used for the river crossing, but, in contrast to all existing bridges in the world, it does not move on land transport, and cross the river steamers and pedestrians only.
