Burst water pipes on two important streets in Hamburg have been bothering many people since Wednesday. Although most of the affected households were quickly supplied with drinking water again, the flooding of Amsinckstrasse and Fuhlsbüttler Strasse - two important traffic arteries in the city - has other far-reaching effects. Ole Braukmann, the press spokesman for “Hamburg Wasser”, explains what commuters should know and what the water pipes in Hamburg are like in general.
Which roads are closed due to the two burst pipes?
Amsinckstrasse and Fuhlsbüttler Strasse, where the pipe bursts occurred on Wednesday afternoon, are still closed. All adjacent roads cannot be driven on either. Both are important connecting roads.
Amsinckstrasse connects the city center with the east of Hamburg and is also the most important traffic artery for commuters on the way to the south. The fact that the street, which is already full during rush hour, is now closed at the level of the North Canal Bridge not far from the main train station, shifts traffic to Hafencity, for example.
Fuhlsbütteler Straße connects the districts of Barmbek-Nord and Ohlsdorf in the northeast of the city.
How can I avoid the closures?
The Hamburg police traffic control center recommends avoiding both closures as far as possible. There are traffic jams around Amsinckstraße in all directions, especially in Heidenkampsweg. It is best to avoid the Hammerbrook and Hafencity districts completely.
The situation is quieter in Ohlsdorf. Fuhlsbütteler Straße can be bypassed via Segelmannstraße or completely via Poppenbüttel. However, it should be noted that the Wellingsbütteler Landstrasse has been closed for a long time.
If possible, subway and S-Bahn trains should be used. Buses are also sometimes stuck in heavy traffic.
How long will the closures last?
That is still unclear. The damaged pipes will be inspected this morning and the asphalt on the affected roads will be tested. Only then can it be said which repairs are necessary and whether the roads are resilient. It is possible that the closures will last longer.
Why can the closures last “longer”?
It is also possible that the opportunity will be used not only to repair the damage, but also to mend the areas. Then a so-called “bundle of measures” would be carried out like the one in Kollaustrasse. This option is being considered, especially in Fuhlsbütteler Straße, as work was planned there for next year anyway.
How many pipe bursts actually occur in Hamburg each year?
According to the press spokesman for Hamburg Wasser, there are around 400 burst pipes in Hamburg every year. Two burst water pipes in one day are therefore not really unusual. Compared to other large cities such as Stockholm or Paris, there are, on average, fewer pipe bursts in Hamburg.
How could two such large pipe bursts occur in one day?
What is unusual, however, is that two traffic junctions, such as Amsinckstrasse and Fuhlsbüttler Strasse, are affected in one day. However, the two pipe bursts occurred independently of each other because the two have no hydraulic connection. Within Hamburg there are different water pipe zones that are not connected to each other.
What caused the two pipe bursts?
The exact cause is not yet clear, but pipe bursts often involve several factors. The two affected streets are busy, which puts a lot of strain on the cables. In addition, the pipes are partly made of old material.
What old material are the pipes made of?
At the beginning of the twentieth century, water pipes made of so-called “gray cast iron” were laid in Hamburg. This material is less elastic. This means that the pipes can no longer cope with the heavy loads of modern traffic as well.
What material are the new drinking water pipes made of?
The new drinking water pipes are made of ductile cast iron. This should be more elastic and can therefore adapt better to movements. The new pipes also have a coating that protects against corrosion.
How long is Hamburg's drinking water network?
The lines are more than 5,500 kilometers long. This supplies households in Hamburg and the surrounding area with drinking water. The spokesman could not say what percentage of the network has already been modernized.
Are there a risk of further pipe bursts in Hamburg?
The number of pipe bursts in Hamburg has decreased in recent years. However, weather phenomena such as frost and its effect on the ground can put a lot of strain on pipes. Therefore, it can never be said how the pipes will behave in the future. However, Hamburg Wasser is constantly working to improve Hamburg's water network.
Where will Hamburg's water network be improved?
The decision on which lines to work on depends on several factors, such as the traffic flow at the location. Not all old pipes necessarily have to be replaced, as they can be in good condition depending on the load. Hamburg Wasser has increased its budget for pipeline improvements from 30 to 50 million euros since 2024.
