A7-2 Via Niedersachsen
The A7 motorway runs through a strategic corridor in Europe, linking Bavaria, Germany’s economic hub, to the Port of Hamburg, which itself handles cargo from across the globe. The ambitious goal is to offer users the highest standards in the world in terms of safety and quality along a highway that is of fundamental importance to the German economy.
The leading motorway concession operator in Germany running the A4, A5 and A9, VINCI Highways is innovating to meet these needs, in particular by implementing a preventive approach to maintenance.
BIM (Building Information Modelling) technology, generally deployed during the design phase, makes it possible to anticipate interventions along a 60-km stretch of road – a first in Germany!
Opening up new opportunities
Cementing economic ties
Bavaria is one of the wealthiest regions in Germany. The A7 motorway connects the southern state to the Port of Hamburg, one of Europe’s largest container ports. The development plan to modernise the ageing infrastructure will boost cargo transport between these two strategic locations, while also ensuring the highest level of safety for road users – an invaluable asset for the region and the people living there!
Innovative preventive maintenance
To maximise safety, minimise disruption and reduce costs, VINCI Highways conducts preventive maintenance using sensors embedded in the road surface. BIM (Building Information Modelling) technology, generally deployed during the infrastructure design phase, is being used on this project during the operating and maintenance phase. It collects data from the sensors and makes it possible to monitor the state of the road in real time.
This is a pioneering approach and marks the first full BIM road in Germany
Challenge Met
Keeping construction and traffic moving
Each day, 70,000 vehicles, including 10,000 heavy goods vehicles, travel along the section of the A7 passing Niedersachen. The traffic on the highway has to be kept moving at all times. VINCI Highways rose to this considerable challenge, ensuring traffic continued to circulate smoothly throughout the duration of the road works. They key to the project’s success lay in VINCI Highways’ deep understanding of local considerations.
Despite the pandemic, work has continued in compliance with hygiene measures. Significant milestones were reached in June 2020, when a 5 km stretch between Grossenrode and west Northeim was opened to traffic, and in April 2021 with the delivery of a new 2 km section of motorway, completely renovated and widened on a third lane, in the direction of Hanover.
Moscow—Saint Petersburg highway
In 2008, VINCI Concessions undertook the operation of several stretches of the 946 km of motorway in Russia for a period ...
See the infrastructure