Connecting the Residential Areas of Horner Geest to the Hamburg Metro Network

The extension of the U4 line to Horner Geest in the Horn district is a key component of Hamburg’s mobility transition. The aim of the project is to sustainably improve traffic flow and mobility in the growing city. The new route will create a faster connection between Horner Geest and Hamburg’s city center, providing an important alternative to private motorized transport. This reduction in road traffic not only optimizes traffic flow but also lowers emissions, thereby protecting the environment. At the same time, the modern, efficient, and barrier-free public transport system will enhance the quality of life for residents.

The construction of the 1.9 km long second tunnel section and two subway stations, which are supplied by Dyckerhoff, involves extensive concrete work with a total requirement of around 160,000 m³. Of this total volume, 46,000 m³ consists of PP-fiber-reinforced concrete, required to meet the fire protection standards stipulated by ZTV-ING for this project. Thanks to the long-standing experience of Dyckerhoff, consistently high concrete quality was ensured throughout. In addition, 73,000 m³ of concrete in strength class C35/45 will be used. A total of 85,000 m³ will be applied as flowable concrete of consistency class F5, 61,000 m³ of which as slurry wall concrete.

The blast furnace cement CEM III/A 42.5 N-LH/NA is delivered environmentally friendly by rail from the Deuna plant to a nearby cement terminal. A total of 56,000 tons of this cement is processed into concrete by a mobile Dyckerhoff mixing plant (Niederlassung Mobile Anlagen). The Stetter M3 plant, equipped with a 3 m³ mixer, was installed in close proximity to the construction site to reduce transport costs and ensure a continuous concrete supply. It is also equipped with a cooling system to reliably maintain the required concrete temperature during summer months. The tunnel is being constructed using the open-cut method. Construction took place in sections while city operations continued, ensuring constant accessibility to adjacent residential buildings.

The project began in February 2021, with structural work on the second phase starting in July 2022. Commissioning is scheduled for autumn 2027. The client and project owner is Hamburger Hochbahn AG. Detailed design and structural work are being carried out by BEMO Tunnelling GmbH. The project design was developed by the architecture firms Gruber + Popp Architekt:innen BDA, S2 – Architekten und Ingenieure, Obermeyer, and Schmidt Architekten und Ingenieure.

As part of environmental compensation and to improve the city’s climate, Hochbahn planted 104 new trees before construction began. After project completion, this number is expected to rise to approximately 630. The ideas and suggestions of residents were also taken into account throughout the planning process, particularly in the design of the new stations.

The new metro section will enable a quick 13-minute connection between Horner Geest and Hamburg Central Station, offering a convenient and fast alternative for daily commuters. All new stations will be fully barrier-free. According to current forecasts, about 24,000 passengers per weekday will use the new line. The extension of the U4 to Horner Geest thus represents a major infrastructure project for Hamburg and makes a significant contribution to the city’s sustainable development.

You can find the latest updates on construction progress and further information about the project on the Hamburg HOCHBAHN website

Images (including cover photo): HOCHBAHN

For further information, please contact:
Florian Lebtag, Tel.: +49 611 676-3173
marketing@dyckerhoff.com