A7 at the Horster triangle free again: Stauchaos survived!

A7 at the Horster triangle free again: Stauchaos survived!

Lüneburg, Deutschland - Finally free journey on the A7 again! After the highway in the area of the Horster triangle had been closed to a bridge since July 10 due to concrete damage, drivers have been able to drive freely in both directions since the afternoon of July 18. The blocking, which lasted more than a week, was lifted at 1:20 p.m. in order not to limit the holiday traffic for longer than necessary, such as NDR reports.

reasons for the blocking

The problems on the bridge were found during renovation work, specifically, these were concrete outbreaks. An investigation by a structural engineer confirmed that these damage can be easily filled. In this way, the bridge could be quickly released for traffic. All of this was a stroke of luck, since the responsible authorities strive for a quick action to avoid longer traffic.

But the A7 is not only important on site. It is considered the longest motorway in Germany with a distance of 962 kilometers and represents an essential north-south connection. The section between Hanover and Hamburg is even one of the ten most stored long-range highways in Germany, as the ADAC notes in its report, which made the closure even more urgent.

The condition of the bridges

The renovation of these and other bridges is a general problem in Germany. According to a current study, construction experts are in need of renovation. Among the more than 40,000 bridges 43 of more than 50 meters in length even have an “insufficient” state, which endangers traffic safety. The proportion of bridges built before 1985 is over 55%, and increased freight traffic is increasingly leading to an additional burden of this infrastructure. Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing has announced that it will be renovated 400 bridges annually to counteract this problem, as the Tagesschau.

observations show that comprehensive modernization of 4,000 bridges is considered the highest priority. Future construction work could also improve the condition of the bridge on the Horster triangle to avoid similar problems in the future.

The traffic situation on Germany's streets remains a challenge both locally and on a larger scale, especially during the holiday season when travel traffic is booming. Therefore, everyone should plan their way well and keep an eye on the current traffic reports. Enjoy the journey - and arrive well!