“Talk on the Crane”

Rostock, February 2026: Frank Bernhardt, company director of Inros Lackner SE, participated in the "Talk on the Crane" programme of MV1, the platform for private TV producers from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The topic of the discussion was the Rostock Oval, one of Rostock City’s most important urban development projects, with the Warnow Bridge as its key component. Also participating in the discussion were Dr. Ute Fischer-Gäde, Rostock City senator for urban planning, construction, climate protection and mobility; Robert Strauss, urban planner and coordinator of the Rostock Oval; Oliver Buchholz, general manager of the Rostock Society for Urban Renewal, Urban Development and Housing; and Frank Streeck, board member of the association Friends of the Rostock Oval e. V. The discussion focused on opportunities, challenges, conflicts of use, and the upcoming start of the bridge’s construction.

Urban vision and project status
The idea of ​​a connection between the city harbour and Gehlsdorf has been discussed since the 1970s. With the Rostock Oval project, this vision is now being integrated into a comprehensive urban concept – a continuous waterfront promenade, new recreational areas along the water, and improved connectivity between the city's districts, with the Warnow Bridge as the key element. The new bridge, designed for pedestrian and bicycle traffic, will be approximately 600 metres long and six metres wide. Forming part of the Berlin–Copenhagen long-distance cycle route, it will be linked to an international network of cycle paths.

From a planning and design perspective, the project is progressing well – the preliminary design has been completed and reviewed, and the planning approval process is underway with a decision expected by the middle of this year. In parallel, the Inros Lackner team is working on the detailed design. Completion of construction is currently scheduled for 2029.

Technical features
During the interview, Frank Bernhardt emphasised how technically demanding the project is. “We are not designing a standard structure with bearings and expansion joints – the ends of this bridge will be firmly anchored in concrete abutments. Because the superstructure is curved rather than straight, it can accommodate temperature-related deformations through curvature changes.” He also highlighted the design’s complexity: “The structure comprises an approach bridge in the water at the Haedge peninsula in Rostock's city harbour, followed by a fixed section of approximately 45 metres. This is connected to a hinged lifting section of about 26 metres, followed by a 471-metre-long fixed crossing with a main span of length 70 metres. Waiting areas and a ship guide structure are also included.” The greatest challenge relates to the underwater foundations, as risks will always remain despite thorough investigations. The construction work will become evident on site with the driving of large monopiles into the ground.

https://youtu.be/HhQqwVyLVQ0?si=05ETmHFMVLkbxTzx

^{Source & images: Juni Media GmbH & Co. KG und MV1}