Hubble connection continues to stay shut indefinitely

In the heart of Magdeburg, a city in eastern Germany, a historic lift bridge known as the Hub Bridge remains closed, causing a stir among locals and visitors alike. The bridge, a significant Elbe crossing, has been a subject of dispute between its owner, Rolf Onnen, and the city administration.

The Hub Bridge, particularly those on the Magdeburg Ring, are in a state of disrepair, with many in poor condition. The historic bridge, acquired by Onnen in 2010 as part of a real estate purchase, has been closed since August 2025, following a ban on an event due to safety requirements.

Onnen, who has invested over 100,000 euros and numerous working hours in the bridge, criticizes the safety restrictions that led to the cancellation of events on the bridge, eventually resulting in its closure. He accuses the city of lacking support and finds the administrative requirements challenging to meet.

However, the city administration clarifies that the lift bridge has never been in their ownership. They had previously shown the private owner a funding opportunity, hoping that Onnen would submit a funding application promptly.

The Waterways and Shipping Authority cited potential dangers from a large number of people on the bridge during an annual event as the reason for the ban. Onnen defends his decision to close the bridge, stating that it is safe and that trains with several hundred tons used to cross it.

The rebuilding of the dilapidated bridges in Magdeburg is estimated to cost at least 200 million euros. Two more bridges on the Magdeburg Ring have been closed since August 2025, with demolition planned.

As for the Hub Bridge, Onnen is considering his next steps but has not made a final decision. He claims that damages to the bridge are only superficial and have largely been repaired. An alternative ownership option for the bridge is transfer to the state of Saxony-Anhalt, according to the owner.

The mayor, Simone Borris, has rejected Onnen's accusations, stating that the ban on an event on the bridge was not imposed by the city administration. She emphasized the significance of the lift bridge as a historic Elbe crossing for Magdeburg.

Onnen, who has been waiting in vain for support from the city for years, states that he is leaving the bridge for now, as the costs for regular inspections and bureaucratic requirements are too much. The Hub Bridge, for now, does not currently belong to the city, but may fall to it if the owner's association dissolves.

The city administration remains hopeful that the private owner will submit a funding application promptly, aiming to restore the historic Hub Bridge and other dilapidated bridges in Magdeburg.