Overview
- The federal transport ministry confirmed the date and said Chancellor Friedrich Merz plans to attend the opening.
- Waterproofing is deferred to summer 2026 to allow permanent surfacing under warmer conditions.
- Traffic will initially use one completed structure configured with narrow lanes at 80 km/h, and heavy trucks will be permitted.
- The second half of the bridge remains under construction, with full operation expected in autumn 2026.
- The shutdown since December 2021 diverted vehicles through Lüdenscheid, producing severe disruption and an estimated €1.8 billion loss for South Westphalia.