Heat wave stops road construction in Görlitz – completion is delayed!

Heat wave stops road construction in Görlitz – completion is delayed!

The road construction work on the Promenade Street in Görlitz is in full swing, but the heat is thwarting the craftsmen's plans. There are delays in asphalt construction between Kastanienallee and Friedersdorfer Straße due to the high temperatures. These temperatures not only slow down the cooling of the asphalt, but also affect its compaction and thus the overall strength of the pavement. The first construction phase was originally scheduled to be completed by next Monday. Due to the adverse weather conditions, this date has now been postponed to July 11th, as Sächsische.de reports.

Things will be particularly tricky in the first section, which is being built between Kastanienallee and Holunderweg under complete closure. Road users must prepare for restricted passage until July 11th. In the second construction phase, which is scheduled to be completed on July 25th, the diversion will be regulated by a traffic light system. This involves setting up one side of the road for traffic to guide vehicles safely through the construction site.

Sunny danger: heat damage to the asphalt

High temperatures in summer are not only strenuous, but also represent a major challenge for the road infrastructure. The asphalt, a mixture of gravel stones and bitumen, becomes soft and deformable at extreme temperatures of 60° to 70°C. According to Autofahrerseite.eu, this can cause damage such as cracks, holes and dangerous “blow-ups”. This sudden damage is not only a danger to the road itself, but also to drivers who might drive over it unprepared.

Many roads are particularly affected in eastern Germany because unsuitable building materials are often used there. Even if the materials are generally suitable for high temperatures, periods of extreme heat can severely affect their strength. This is evident, among other things, in the formation of ruts, which not only reduce driving comfort but also increase the risk of aquaplaning.

Innovative solutions against the heat

In order to counteract the challenges posed by heat, work is already being done on innovative road surfaces in Hesse. An example of this is the special asphalt “Klimaphalt”, which is known for its bright surface and reflects the sun’s rays better. This road surface can absorb and store up to 125 liters of rainwater per square meter, which contributes to evaporative cooling and at the same time relieves the burden on the sewer system, as Wetter.com reports.

In addition, work is underway on a geothermal solution in which cold water circulates through pipes in the asphalt layer. This is not only intended to keep you cool in the summer, but also to prevent the formation of slippery surfaces in the winter. So far, the tests in Hesse have shown that the asphalt mixtures used are robust to high temperatures and that there is largely no significant damage.

It is important for all road users to be particularly attentive when temperatures are high and, if necessary, to prepare for speed limits and diversions. Motorcyclists in particular should avoid dangerous routes or be well informed in order to reach their destination safely.