Tunnel under Elbe River temporarily shut for nearly a week!
The Old Elbe Tunnel, a historic and popular passageway connecting St. Pauli with the Elbe island of Steinwerder, is set to close from Monday to Friday due to renovation work. The closure, announced by the Hamburg Port Authority, is expected to impact transportation in the area.
The closure is part of a larger infrastructure project that includes work on the A7 motorway and Elbmarsch elevated highway. The Old Elbe Tunnel and the A7 are planned for full closure during certain periods in 2025 to allow for signal upgrades and structural improvements.
A key closure period relevant to the Elbe Tunnel and A7 in Hamburg includes a 54-hour full closure from Friday, March 28, 10:00 p.m., to Monday, March 31, 5:00 a.m., between Hamburg-Stellingen and Hamburg-Heimfeld junctions, affecting the Elbe Tunnel area. Other partial weekend closures may also coincide with works on bridges and nearby infrastructure through 2025.
For pedestrians and cyclists during the Old Elbe Tunnel closure, alternative routes are not explicitly detailed, but surface Elbe River bridges, ferries, or public transport between St. Pauli and Steinwerder could serve as alternatives. Cyclists will be redirected via the Freeport Elbe Bridge during renovation work.
Motorists will have to navigate detours around the closure, with major routes such as the A1, A21, B205, and local junctions like Buchholzer Dreieck, Horster Dreieck, and Maschener Kreuz being affected.
The Old Elbe Tunnel renovation work may necessitate the use of alternative routes for cyclists and may require special precautions, additional signage, and potential health and safety concerns due to the release of harmful vapors in the west tube of the tunnel.
For precise temporary pedestrian or cycling detour maps, contacting the Hamburg Port Authority or local Hamburg transport information closer to the closure dates would provide the most current guidance. The St. Pauli Tunnel has been suggested as an alternate route during the closure.
The Old Elbe Tunnel, a 426.5m long tunnel with elevators at both ends for easy access, remains a significant part of Hamburg's transportation infrastructure. The renovation work is necessary to ensure its continued safety and efficiency. It is advisable for pedestrians and cyclists to plan their routes accordingly and stay informed about the closure details.
The Old Elbe Tunnel renovation work is part of a larger project that also involves improvements in the A7 motorway and Elbmarsch elevated highway, and may affect other transportation sectors like public-transit and finance, as alternate routes for commuters may need to be found or additional services might be required during the closure. The closure, despite affecting transportation in the area, will likely offer opportunities for the finance industry, as businesses focused on transportation solutions such as ferries or bicycle services might experience increased demand.
