A7 at Horster triangle free again: traffic jams finally over after bridge damage!

A7 at Horster triangle free again: traffic jams finally over after bridge damage!

On Friday afternoon, July 18, 2025, the unilateral closure of the A7 motorway in the Horster triangle area near Seevetal was lifted. The closure, which has been in effect since July 10th due to concrete damage to a bridge, caused significant traffic delays and traffic jams, particularly on the A1 in the Hamburg metropolitan area. Motorists had to be redirected via the A1 towards Maschener Kreuz for more than a week. The road is now passable in both directions again and vehicles have been able to pass through without any problems since 1:20 p.m. NDR reports that the measures to relieve the load on the bridge were necessary during this time.

Concrete damage discovered during renovation work included so-called “concrete blowouts.” However, after an investigation by a structural engineer, it was determined that these damaged areas could easily be filled. The focus was clearly on not disrupting holiday traffic for longer than necessary, as last weekend in particular there was a traffic jam of up to twelve kilometers on the A7. A section between Hamburg and Hanover was even completely closed for several hours, which meant patient waiting times for many travelers. Even during checks in Wietmarschen, several vehicles were not allowed to continue driving.

Secure infrastructure in focus

But the case at the Horster triangle raises questions that go far beyond the immediate traffic problems. Construction experts warn that many motorway bridges in Germany are in need of renovation. According to an analysis based on data from over 3,700 highway bridges, 43 bridges longer than 50 meters are in “unsatisfactory” condition. This not only affects stability, but also traffic safety. Tagesschau reports that there are around 40,000 bridges in Germany, 55% of which were built before 1985. The increasing freight traffic puts additional strain on the bridges.

Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing is therefore planning to renovate 400 bridges every year. The modernization of 4,000 bridges is a top priority to ensure long-term traffic safety. At 962 kilometers, the A7 motorway connection is the longest in Germany and plays a central role as a north-south connection; the section between Hanover and Hamburg in particular is one of the most congested in the country.

Lane closures and detours

However, the relief for drivers at the Horster triangle comes at a time when the infrastructure continues to be under heavy strain. On July 18th to 21st, the A7 will be closed in both directions in the area of ​​the Schnelsen tunnel in Hamburg - a renewed frustration for many travelers and commuters. It is recommended to use large-scale detours to avoid additional delays. ADAC has provided current traffic information. The shutdown of the highway is an important issue that politicians need to talk about urgently.

The large construction sites in the German transport infrastructure are not just a nuisance, but a sign that action must be taken now to ensure safe traffic conditions. We can only hope that the plans to renovate all affected bridges will be implemented as quickly as possible!