Hamburg fights against potholes: 8 million euros for repairs!

Hamburg fights against potholes: 8 million euros for repairs!

After the extensive winter weather with snow and frost, Hamburg is faced with a challenge that affects many drivers and cyclists: potholes on the roads. These are not only a nuisance, but can also lead to dangerous situations. Loud NDR Sülldorfer and Osdorfer Landstrasse as well as Borgfelder Strasse are particularly badly affected, where some of the holes are up to 10 centimeters deep. The traffic authority has already made available 8 million euros for repairs and is thus ensuring that driving can be safer again.

Transport Senator Anjes Tjarks (Greens) has assured that the city will provide help quickly. The Department of Transportation's road condition report shows that more than 1,000 kilometers of lanes have been rehabilitated in the last five years, a record aimed at preventing future potholes and preventing water from seeping into the asphalt. This is urgently needed as complaints about broken lamps, potholes and litter have increased over the past year.

The fight against potholes

What exactly is the city doing about the numerous potholes? Employees from the Altona building yard are working every day to repair the damage. Main roads, bus routes and routes to school are at the top of the priority list. About a ton of cold asphalt is used every day to fill the holes. But the problem remains stubborn: some potholes keep appearing because the asphalt is constantly being pushed out by traffic, especially heavy vehicles. The Altona district implements various measures to master the challenge. Temporary closures may be necessary until permanent repairs are completed.

But what actually causes potholes to form? It is a complex process that is particularly favored by low temperatures and high traffic volumes. Water penetrates the cracks in the road surface, freezes and lifts the asphalt. When temperatures rise, the ice crystals thaw and leave pools of water that are further damaged by traffic. In addition, the use of road salt speeds up the process. Sustained low temperatures could even increase the number of potholes.

The financial challenge

There are similar problems at the national level. According to the Federal Motor Transport Authority, over 56.5 million motor vehicles are registered in Germany. Many roads and highways are in poor condition due to traffic and changing temperatures. Cities and municipalities often do not have enough money to carry out the necessary repairs. Mistakes are often made in road construction and the high costs of maintaining roads amount to around eight billion euros, while only around five billion euros are spent on them. This leads to a constant deterioration of the infrastructure.

For drivers, this means they have to adapt their speed to the poor road conditions, especially if there is a risk of potholes. In many communities it is possible to report this damage online. Cities are required by law to point out the dangers of road damage and take measures to minimize liability claims. But injured drivers often have to prove that they were inadequately warned in order to make a claim for damages.

Overall, it shows that the fight against potholes is not just a challenge for Hamburg, but a nationwide problem that requires quick action to ensure road safety.