Airport runway built over busy motorway: SEE IMAGES

A drive along a motorway can be pretty boring with not much to look at except long stretches of road – but not for commuters in Germany’s Schkeuditz.
That’s because the local airport’s runways are built on bridges directly over the oncoming traffic, which means drivers can get close-up views of aircraft taxiing across before take-off, including A380s.

Schkeuditz Airport – better known as the Leipzig/Halle Airport because it serves both cities – is connected to its Runway North by a bridge, so planes can safely cross over for take-off, or post-landing.

The bridge was built after the airport’s expansion meant it would be spilling into the surrounding areas, with its runway being built a few kilometres away.

However, the A14 autobahn runs right through the land that connects the airport and runway – so rather than facing a logistical nightmare, a workaround was found; a bridge going directly over the traffic.The planes only taxi across this bridge of course – take off and landing themselves take place on the real runway.

No doubt drivers who regularly make the journey are used to the sight of the planes during their daily commute.

For those who don’t usually drive that way, no doubt it’s impressive if you happen to pass while a plane is crossing the bridge; but it’s a busy motorway, not a plane-spotting destination, and there are no facilities for viewing.Leipzig/Halle Airport serves two of Germany’s biggest cities, and last year alone it handled over 2.3 million passengers, with commercial airlines including Ryanair and Lufthansa operating from the airport.

However it’s also a hub for cargo carriers; in fact, DHL uses the airport at its base so there are often branded planes crossing the bridge.