An important connection: at km 81.257, the railway line along Schiefe Ebene crossed the once important road from Marktschorgast to Himmelkron. But the line was on an embankment here, meaning that a bridge was the only solution. This was very difficult due to the marshy ground, calling for a pile foundation. Workers drove 228 oak piles, each 3 metres long, into the ground to support the bridge!

The original underpass is preserved here, complemented by a sandstone balustrade to prevent falling. This design was often used on the South-North Ludwig Railway. Later, however, the distance between the tracks was increased. The robust parapets often interfered and were replaced by steel railings, for example.

Below the road a small stream flows beneath the bridge. Have you spotted it? The smooth sandstones of the wing walls are easier to recognise, a contrast to the roughly carved stones along the central section of Schiefe Ebene. Only the stones of the vaulted arch were ‘embossed’ in this way. The arch spans exactly 4.03 metres and is 9 metres long. The apex is 5.80 metres above the ground – enough even for modern lorries!