A7 and Elbtunnel open again: traffic jam chaos over the weekend!

A7 and Elbtunnel open again: traffic jam chaos over the weekend!

At the weekend, a complete closure of Autobahn 7 in Hamburg caused massive traffic disruptions. From Friday evening to Sunday evening, the section between Hamburg-Stellingen and Hamburg-Heimfeld was completely closed in the southbound direction. The traffic management tender announced that the original plan called for a closure until Monday morning, but that this could be shortened due to the need to remark the southbound carriageway for the planned A7 extension. Fortunately, the highway has now been reopened and traffic can flow normally.

The closure also affected the important Elbe tunnel and led to slow traffic in and around Hamburg. Many travelers heading south had to have a fair amount of patience. The traffic control center reported gridlocked traffic on the B4 and B75, while travel time on the A1 between Hamburg-Billstedt and Hamburg-Stillhorn was extended by more than an hour. Many drivers chose alternative routes and drove through the city or used the A1 as a detour, which did not happen without further traffic jams.

Further closures planned

Several full closures on the A7 are planned for the rest of the year. The next major closure will take place from July 4th to 7th, with traffic disruptions expected in both the south and north directions. The summer holidays in several federal states, including Lower Saxony and Bremen, begin during this time, which could further aggravate the situation. The A7, which stretches a whopping 962 kilometers and is considered the most important north-south connection, is known for its high traffic volume.

• Geplante Sperrungen 2025:
• 4. bis 7. Juli: Sperrung geplant wegen Baustelle Tunnel Schnelsen
• 9. bis 10. August: Nacharbeiten Tunnel Schnelsen (Ersatztermin: 16. bis 17. August)
• 26. bis 29. September: Elbtunnel, K20 – Umschaltungen und Prüfungen
• 17. bis 20. Oktober: Elbtunnel – Instandhaltungsarbeiten
• 7. bis 10. November: Hochstraße K20 – Bau- und Prüfmaßnahmen
• 14. bis 17. November: Tunnel Stellingen – Wartungsarbeiten
• 6. bis 7. Dezember: Arbeiten im Haupttunnel nachts

During the closures, traffic jams are to be expected on the diversions. For travelers who want to get to Hamburg Airport, we recommend allowing additional time or using public transport. Despite the problems caused by the construction sites, the digital dashboard on autobahn.de offers the opportunity to monitor current traffic situations and traffic jams.

Travelers in the region are always faced with the challenge of cleverly avoiding traffic. During the last closure, diversions via the A1, A21 and B205 were also affected. Autobahn 7 remains the worst stumbling block for many commuters and travelers. As NDR reports, there have already been six full closures of the A7 in 2024 - a development that no one can consider to be particularly positive.

Preparations for the coming restrictions are already underway and drivers should inform themselves early to avoid long waiting times. Stay tuned and use the latest information for your planning!