A7 in Hamburg open again: traffic jam chaos after weekend closure!

A7 in Hamburg open again: traffic jam chaos after weekend closure!

Last weekend, Autobahn 7 in Hamburg was closed to traffic between the Hamburg-Stellingen and Hamburg-Heimfeld junctions, including the Elbe Tunnel. The full closure lasted until Monday morning, so the A7 is now passable again in both directions. The reason for the closure was the installation of new traffic sign gantries and important tests to integrate the new tunnel control center, as NDR reports.

Despite the short-term disruption to traffic, the impact was surprisingly mild. Although there were traffic jams of up to eight kilometers on the alternative routes, especially on the A1 between Maschener Kreuz and the Norderelbe triangle, there was no major traffic jam overall, which could not least be due to the two major events - the HSV Bundesliga home game and a demonstration in the city center. A further intervention in traffic is already planned for December 5th to 8th, 2025, when the Elbe Tunnel has to be closed again.

Expansion work on the A7

Extensive construction work is currently underway to expand the A7 from six to eight lanes. This work is part of the K20 Elbmarsch High Road project, which is being carried out by DEGES on behalf of the Federal Autobahn GmbH. Traffic will be routed over a new superstructure on the northbound carriageway, while the southbound carriageway is currently being expanded, as Autobahn.de informed.

A further full closure for 55 hours from November 7th to 10th, 2025 is required for the installation of the new traffic sign gantries. The work can be postponed depending on the weather, which road users should certainly know in advance. Particularly for large-capacity and heavy-duty transport, it is important to avoid the closure as far as possible.

Brief information about diversions

For through traffic, we recommend using the official diversion route via the A1, A21 and B205. Detailed information on diversions and alternative routes will also be announced in the future. This information is made visible by an existing network control system so that road users can choose the best route.

The constant closures are directly related to the measures to improve noise protection. The Altona noise protection tunnel is scheduled to be completed by 2028; additional safety standards and comfort for drivers are seen as the goal of this comprehensive work.

It remains to be hoped that the renovation work will progress quickly and that travelers will soon be able to benefit from a new transport structure. Stay up to date on the current status of construction work!