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A7 in the south of Hamburg: eight-lane motorway now open!
The A7 in Hamburg has had eight lanes since July 8, 2025. Goal: Better traffic flow and less traffic jams on Germany's north-south axis.
A7 in the south of Hamburg: eight-lane motorway now open!
It is an important day for the transport infrastructure in Germany - the A7 in the south of Hamburg has had eight lanes since today, July 8, 2025. This new section stretches between the Hamburg-Hafen motorway junction and the Hamburg-Heimfeld junction and has now been officially released. The construction took around four and a half years and covers a length of almost four kilometers with four lanes in each direction. The aim of this extensive project was to increase traffic flow and reduce traffic restrictions. NDR reports that Sebastian Haß, Hamburg boss of DEGES, is proud of the timely completion of this project.
The A7 expansion project is not only important locally. With an investment of around 250 million euros from the federal government, the A7 is viewed as Germany's central lifeline. The section between Hamburg-Waltershof and the Elbe Tunnel is considered one of the longest motorway bridges in Germany. The extensive work also included the construction of noise protection systems and new rainwater treatment tanks, which are intended to improve the quality of life of the residents. DEGES emphasizes that the expansion of the A7 in the south of Hamburg is part of a broader program that provides for a continuous eight-lane route up to the state border of Schleswig-Holstein.
Traffic forecasts and infrastructure measures
As forecasts show, traffic on German roads will continue to increase in the coming years. To achieve this, it is important to bring the infrastructure up to date. Numerous federal highways and dilapidated bridges urgently need renovation. The coalition committee recently agreed to accelerate planning. A law to speed up approval, which was presented by Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing, aims to significantly reduce the planning times for traffic routes. BMVI states that approval times should be halved to meet society's needs more quickly.
These measures are urgently needed because, according to the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility, an increase in transport volumes of 50 million tons is forecast for 2024. Freight transport by road is also expected to increase by 54%. In view of these developments, the expansion of motorway sections that are prone to traffic jams is of utmost importance. Projects like the A1 between Erfttal and Cologne West are at the top of the priority list.
The A7 is and remains one of the most important traffic axes and the newly expanded section will help ensure people's mobility and strengthen Germany as a business location. Today's release is therefore not only a milestone for Hamburg, but for the entire region.