Benrath Underpass Faces Recurring Flood Risk, City Prioritizes Drainage Improvements
A critical road underpass in Benrath is repeatedly compromised by heavy rainfall, prompting city officials to prioritize upgrades to its drainage infrastructure. Drivers are advised to exercise caution when parking in the area, particularly during periods of sustained precipitation.
The underpass at the intersection of Forststrasse and Cäcilienstrasse has experienced significant flooding in recent years, most recently this September. Records show similar events occurred in July 2021 – coinciding with widespread flooding across the city caused by overwhelmed waterways and drainage systems – as well as in 2018 and 2011. This pattern of recurring inundation underscores the urgent need for preventative measures, according to local authorities.
Assessing the Risk: A Four-Tiered Protection System
The city’s drainage company, known as SEBD, acknowledges the severity of the situation. In a statement responding to inquiries from our editorial team, a senior official explained that evaluating the level of protection required for infrastructure like the underpass hinges on assessing the potential impact of flooding on people, the environment, essential services, the economy, and cultural heritage.
The German Association for Water Management, Sewage and Waste (DWA) employs a four-category protection system to guide these assessments. These categories dictate acceptable flooding frequencies based on the infrastructure’s importance. According to the DWA, a high-traffic road underpass – comparable to a motorway tunnel – falls into protection category four, the highest level.
“For a road underpass of major importance in terms of traffic, protection category four would have to be applied,” the SEBD stated. “If the sewer system in this underpass were to be rebuilt, a permissible overflow frequency of once in ten years would have to be applied.” For existing infrastructure, the standard is even more stringent, requiring an overflow frequency of no more than once every five years.
Prioritizing Benrath: A Focus on Risk Management
Given the underpass’s role as a vital link to the motorway, it effectively operates under the standards of protection category four. This means the location should, ideally, only experience flooding once every five years. As a result, the city has designated the underpass a key focus of its heavy rain risk management efforts.
However, the SEBD has not yet disclosed the specific actions planned or the anticipated timeline for improvements.
According to the DWA, level four prioritization is reserved for areas where flooding poses a significant threat to safety, health, or could cause extensive damage and disruption. A previous proposal from the city administration suggested a complete reconstruction of the intersection area, though the status of that plan remains unclear.
The recurring flooding at the Forststrasse/Cäcilienstrasse underpass serves as a stark reminder of the increasing challenges posed by extreme weather events and the critical need for proactive infrastructure investment.
