Ever wondered what it’s like to travel beneath an airport runway?
Let me tell you about the Krohnstiegtunnel. This tunnel isn’t just a way to get from one place to another. It’s a vital part of Hamburg’s infrastructure. It lies beneath the bustling Hamburg Airport. The Krohnstiegtunnel is more than just concrete and steel. It’s a story of progress, innovation, and Hamburg’s ever-evolving landscape.
Back in the 1960s, Hamburg Airport decided to lengthen its runway. This extension threatened to cut off the Garstedter Weg. This road connected Niendorf and Garstedt. To solve this problem, the Krohnstiegtunnel was built as a replacement. The Krohnstiegtunnel also improved overall road connections in northern Hamburg. A new road, part of Ring 3, was constructed from the A7 motorway to the tunnel. It then extended to Langenhorn on the eastern side.
As the airport continued to expand in the 1990s, the Krohnstiegtunnel was also upgraded. A second tunnel was added between 1995 and 1998. This new section runs parallel to the original tunnel. This expansion doubled the traffic capacity. The runway had to be demolished and rebuilt in just five months. This was to minimize disruption to the airport’s flight operations.
The original Krohnstiegtunnel is about 419 meters long and ten meters wide. It features two lanes for vehicle traffic. A separate six-meter-wide tunnel runs alongside it. This smaller tunnel is for pedestrians and cyclists. Its floor is slightly higher than the road tunnel. The ramps on either side of the Krohnstiegtunnel are 415 meters long. The tunnel itself is a closed concrete structure. While the airport is in the Fuhlsbüttel district, the Krohnstiegtunnel’s portals lie in different areas. The western entrance is in Niendorf. The eastern entrance is in Norderstedt.
In 2016, advanced technology was added to the Krohnstiegtunnel. This included automatic incident and fire detection systems. Thermal video cameras were installed. These cameras monitor the Krohnstiegtunnel around the clock. These cameras detect any incidents that occur. Shortly after installation, the system proved its value. In November 2016, it detected a burning vehicle inside the tunnel.
So, as you pass through the Krohnstiegtunnel, remember its story. It’s a story of adaptation and Hamburg’s commitment to progress. It ensures smooth travel beneath the wings of Hamburg Airport.