A7 full closures 2025: Massive traffic jams due to Elbe tunnel closures!

A7 full closures 2025: Massive traffic jams due to Elbe tunnel closures!

In Hamburg, drivers will have to expect a whole range of restrictions on the A7 in 2025. The reason for this are several large projects that result in targeted full closures in the Elbe tunnel area. These closures, which are usually scheduled to last 55 hours, affect the section between Hamburg-Stellingen and Hamburg-Heimfeld, where the central Elbe tunnel is also located. Today he reports ADAC that the first planned full closures will begin on July 4, 2025 and will extend into December.

The schedules for the closures are as follows: Traffic will be severely restricted from July 4th to 7th, September 26th to 29th, October 17th to 20th, November 7th to 10th and finally December 5th to 8th. The closures always begin on Fridays at 10 p.m. and end on Mondays at 5 a.m., which requires a lot of patience from the drivers affected. Diversions via the A1, A21 and B205 are planned, but these routes are also affected by closures.

Large projects and construction activities

Traffic on the A7 is not only restricted due to planned work. Important construction projects are also the reason for the exceptional situation. This includes the expansion of the Altona A7 cover, the replacement of the K20 elevated road south of the tunnel and connections to the new A26 West. Loud NDR A new tunnel control center will also be set up, which will require extensive modifications and testing.

In addition to the Elbe tunnel closure, the Schnelsen tunnel and the Stellingen tunnel are also affected by closures: The Schnelsen tunnel will be closed for technical work from July 18th to 21st and on August 9th and 10th, with an alternative date on August 16th and 17th. It's the turn of the Stellingen Tunnel from November 14th to 17th and December 6th and 7th at night. These additional measures aim to carry out renovations, pipe laying and technical modernizations.

Detours and traffic adjustments

The Hamburg city administration has already set diversions for north and south travelers. Travelers to the north exit at the Horster triangle onto the A1, while travelers to the south have to exit at Neumünster-Süd onto the B205 to get back to the A7. In addition, travelers who want to go to Hamburg Airport are advised to allow more time or to use public transport.

Several full closures have already been successful this year, but further planning requires increased measures. Construction work with full and partial closures is also being prepared for the A1, which is coordinated with the dates for the A7. Drivers should therefore prepare optimally and inform themselves in advance in order to reach their destination with less stress.

The numbers speak for themselves: at 962 kilometers, the A7 is the longest motorway in Germany and therefore an essential north-south connection. Even if it may be tedious at first, this “construction marathon” will ultimately help to improve traffic in Hamburg in the long term. Urban development measures such as the Altona noise protection tunnel, which is due to be completed by 2028, are designed to increase the quality of life in the region.