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The Austrian STRABAG has received a significant contract for the replacement construction of the lock in Erlangen on the Main-Danube Canal in Germany. In collaboration with Bauer Spezialtiefbau GmbH, Ed. Züblin AG, a subsidiary of STRABAG, will implement the project on behalf of the Waterways New Construction Office Aschaffenburg (WNA). The contract volume amounts to approximately 380 million EUR, with STRABAG taking on a 90% share.
Important step for waterway infrastructure
The lock in Erlangen, which has been in operation since the 1970s, is in a structural condition that makes renovation impossible. Therefore, a new construction is necessary, which will be built about 300 meters north of the existing lock. The new construction will be executed in solid construction and is to be realized with a width of 12.50 meters and a length of 190 meters. A central goal of the project is to minimize joints to increase the longevity of the lock.
The project encompasses the entire lock complex, including the inlet structure, head structure, lock chamber, outlet structure, and laterally arranged balancing basins. These balancing basins are designed to save approximately 60% of water during each locking process. Additionally, a bypass for water management of the Main-Danube Canal will be established, allowing water to be diverted parallel to the lock.
Continuous operation during construction
The construction work will last until 2033, with the Main-Danube Canal remaining fully operational throughout the entire construction period. The old lock will only be decommissioned after the completion of the new construction. This ensures that the important transport artery for inland shipping remains continuously maintained.
Jörg Rösler, a member of the board of STRABAG SE for the North + West segment, emphasizes the significance of the project: “The renewed award for a major project in the field of waterways underscores our strong position in this strategically important infrastructure sector.” The replacement construction of the lock in Erlangen is seen as an important contribution to the modernization of European waterways.
Waterways play a central role in the transport of large quantities of goods in Germany and Europe. They support the economy by connecting important industrial and commercial regions and enhancing competitiveness. The investment need for upgrading this infrastructure is high, and with the work on the lock in Erlangen and, starting in 2024, the nearby lock in Kriegenbrunn, a significant step towards the future viability of the waterway is being taken.
