Interview:

How long have you been working in your current position at HPA and what have been your most important projects during this time?

I have been working as a specialist for bridges since April 2017, with a focus on owner and consumer tasks. The fact that I have worked in many other positions at HPA has proven to be an excellent basis for working together with other technicians and engineers. The most important projects for me at the moment are the free port Elbe bridge, the Argentinian knot, the Waltershof bridges and the Finkenwerder bridge. 

Where is your office located and which departments do you work together with? 

My office is in warehouse P on the 4th floor – on the south side! I feel like I work with everyone together: with the technical head for new structures and operations, with strategists, colleagues from traffic management and with the department for finance and accounting.

What are your tasks and what do you like most about your career?

I like most that I can fully focus on the topic of bridges. It’s about costs, deadlines, technology and quality. The field of work is quite flexible, as I have to deal with any number of different issues, such as how to finance projects and execute them. I close project contracts and as a representative of the city, have to ensure that the city as the owner uses its financial means appropriately. I take responsibility for the city’s facility in the interest of the city, so to speak. This means I have to estimate what is needed where. Based on condition reports and the individual maintenance strategy, we then decide if maintenance or replacement is required. As soon as this has been determined, the costs are calculated and the finances are collected from the city. When it comes to execution, I’m also naturally responsible for staying within the time and cost frame. Thanks to this diverse range of tasks, I have contact with very different people, which I think is also very fascinating. When a new bridge is built, I work, for example as the head of the project for the city, very closely with the head of the project for construction. 

You are currently busy with the replacement of the Veddel canal bridges. What the biggest challenges you are facing within this project?

This is obviously the complexity of the project and the costs, since the project has really very high technical requirements. Plus, we have to have all the parties involved and the availability of important areas in the port in our sights. For instance, this meant we only had to fully close the bridge for rail traffic for just a short time; it is the only rail connection to the Spreehaven island, where the carriages of the port railway are maintained. This, too, is what makes the project so demanding. 

How is the road traffic being detoured during the construction measures?

It is necessary to fully close off the Klütjenfelder Straße for one to two years for economic reasons. The detour leads across the Reiherstieg folding bridge, among others. This meant remarking a junction in advance in order to separate lorry and car lanes and therefore improve the flow of traffic Cars have to drive around the area quite far: from the south via Kornweide, Hohe-Schaar-Straße and the Ellerholz lock. However, Brandenburger Straße remains accessible at all times coming from the south. For pedestrians, cyclists and buses, we have set up an extra temporary bridge. If you are arriving to Hamburg by bus, you leave it before this bridge and then get back in on the other end. We will naturally inform residents about the detour well in advance. 

It has been said that particularly cyclists can look forward to the new bridge. Why? 

The bridge is part of the Velo Route 11, which is heavily frequented. The new bridge is an important part of setting up the route. Roughly 1,000 cyclists, who bike every day between Wilhelmsburg and the port, will have access to an even larger network of excellent bicycle paths in future. HPA generally has a heart for cyclists. 

In your high position, you have a lot of responsibility. How do you handle this?

I always try to remain calm, to see difficulties with a portion of humour and to view things more and more from a different perspective. And not to forget: there is also a life after work, and I think this is quite important too. 

Are you also busy with technical things in your free time or do you prefer to focus on completely different things?

I also like to do other things! I volunteer and am in a club which provides humanitarian help for South Cameroon, where a civil war is currently going on. The people there are suffering extremely under the regime, which has suppressed a part of the country and that in 2016 reacted with violence towards a peaceful demonstration of solicitors, teachers and students. We take care of the people, for instance, who have fled to Nigeria. More than 500,000 people live there under the worst possible conditions in the woods. My wife is from South Cameroon. We have a collaborating partner there, collect donations and organise help. In addition to this work, I also like to go dancing often, mainly salsa, bachata, and disco fox. 

Which place in the port fascinates you the most?

I think the port is a wonderful place, but to be honest, the Köhlbrand bridge fascinates me the most. As a small boy, I walked across this bridge with my parents. This was possible for a few days after the opening and enabled the people of Hamburg to experience this grand structure close up. The Köhlbrand bridge has always been a part of my work since I started my career. I like how it looks from various locations, such as from the Elbtunnel at night. 

Many thanks for the interview.