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On Thursday morning, Christopher Helbig, Head of Civil Engineering & Urban Space at Kommunalservice Jena (KSJ), gave an overview of the current road situation in Jena and answered questions from journalists. The most important points also affect many citizens directly - especially with regard to potholes and roadworks in the city.
More damage after the winter - why is that?
After the cold season, damage can be seen on many roads. The main causes are:
- Freeze-thaw cycles that crack the asphalt
- Water that penetrates small cracks
- Road salt and traffic, which put additional strain on the road surface
It is therefore common for more repairs to be carried out in spring. Priority is always given to road safety.
Why are some roads completely repaired and others only patched up?
For many, it seems contradictory at first glance: a road with visible potholes is only being repaired, while another apparently intact road is being repaired. The reason lies in the structure of the road.
A road consists of several layers. If only the top layer is affected, it can be repaired. However, if the underlying layers are also damaged, only a complete reconstruction can help - and this takes time for planning and financing.
Example from Jena: Fürstengraben
The top asphalt layer (wearing course) is currently being renewed on Fürstengraben. This protects the road from water and stress and has a service life of around five to ten years. Even though no large potholes were visible there, the measure makes sense: it serves to maintain the road in the long term and prevent major damage.
Example from Jena: Camburger Straße
The situation is different in Camburger Straße: the entire road structure is damaged here. Over the years, water and loads have penetrated into deeper layers. Simple renovation is therefore no longer sufficient. The plan is to carry out a major upgrade, which will also involve replacing pipes under the road. Due to the scope of the project, this will not be possible until 2028 at the earliest. Until then, damage will only be repaired selectively - i.e. potholes will be patched. These measures are deliberately only a temporary solution in order to keep the road safe to use.
Why do repairs sometimes take longer?
Road works are heavily dependent on the weather.
- Rain can mean that asphalt cannot be processed properly
- Cold prevents sufficient compaction
- Technical processes, for example in mixing plants, also play a role
As a result, work may be interrupted and continued later.
All measures have a clear objective:
- Safe roads for all road users
- Maintaining the existing infrastructure
- Sensible use of public funds
Special thanks go to the"patching team" from the building yard, who have already been working on Camburger Straße this week.