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 postponed indefinitely 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 construction of the bridge were put huge amounts of money, more than half a billion euros. But the miracle was built bridge was worth it.
Spread over the Elbe and began operating a unique bridge-aqueduct, which connected the Elbe-Havel Canal and the Mittellandkanal. The total length of the bridge 918 meters, 690 meters from them over the land, and the remaining 228 meters - above the water. Pontifex empty channel on the bridge. Channel width of the channel on the bridge equals 34 meters and the depth of 4 to 25 meters, it is enough for the smooth passage of ships that "go" with the Berlin inner port to port in an industrial area on the Rhine.
Most, though, and is used to cross the river, but, in contrast to all existing bridges in the world, it does not move on land transport, and only cross the river steamers and pedestrians.