Despite the ongoing heatwave, Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) does not anticipate significant damage to Germany’s motorways. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post”, Schnieder expressed high confidence that heat damage will not be a major issue, noting that the incidence of such damage has already decreased considerably in recent years.
He explained that the previously reported issues, known as “blow-ups,” primarily affected older or pre-damaged concrete pavements. According to the minister, these have since been upgraded through preventative measures or replacements, ensuring that both their thickness and construction design make such failures highly unlikely. Furthermore, the Autobahn GmbH is implementing rigorous inspections to identify potential hazards early and resolve damage quickly.
In meteorological terms, the German Weather Service currently warns of severe heat stress across large parts of the country, particularly in the west and southwest. Scientists predict that this extreme heat will expand throughout Germany on Friday and the weekend, affecting areas from the south and west through the central plains and into the east. The IPCC points out that human-induced climate change is leading to heatwaves that are both more frequent and more intense.
The Autobahn GmbH advises that roughly 70 percent of German highways are surfaced with asphalt, while the remainder is concrete. Asphalt can reach temperatures exceeding 60 degrees Celsius during extreme heat, compromising its structural integrity. Similarly, in concrete structures, the likelihood of buckling increases once temperatures reach around 30 degrees. Indeed, the A2 between Burg-Ost and Burg-Zentrum had already been temporarily closed on Thursday due to heat damage.
