Subway Station Nordstrasse in Pempelfort, Dusseldorf, temporarily shuts down due to asbestos concerns
Asbestos Discovery Leads to Temporary Closure at Nordstraße U-Bahn Station
A surprise discovery of asbestos has led to the temporary closure of the Nordstraße U-Bahn station in Cologne, Germany. The city and transport authority, Rheinbahn, have taken swift action to ensure the safety of passengers and residents.
The asbestos was detected during preparatory works at the station, prompting targeted investigations and the sealing off of the distribution level. Workers, equipped with masks and protective suits, have been carrying out the demolition of ceiling elements under special occupational health and safety precautions and construction site hazardous substance measurements.
During the demolition, asbestos fibers were detected during accompanying air measurements. To mitigate any potential risks, the air supply was regulated, and the exhaust air was qualified filtered at the station. After each night shift, a cleaning of the platform surfaces and component surfaces, as well as other facilities in the respective construction area, was carried out as a special precautionary measure.
Entry and exit at Nordstraße U-Bahn station are currently not possible. U-Bahn lines U78 and U79 will not stop at the station until further notice, while tram lines 701 and 705 above ground remain unaffected. Rheinbahn recommends using neighboring stations to its passengers.
The city is also investigating neighboring stations Klever Straße and Heinrich-Heine-Allee due to potential asbestos problems. The origin of the asbestos fibers is still unclear, and the city assumes that the asbestos contamination for passengers and residents at Nordstraße U-Bahn station before the restriction was relatively low.
It's important to note that the city and Rheinbahn have emphasized that there is no risk to health associated with the asbestos discovery at Nordstraße U-Bahn station. However, as a precautionary measure, the station has been precautionarily closed for passenger operation.
The city is conducting extensive investigations at nearby and related stations to assess the spread of contamination and ensure safety. As of the current information available, no specific or updated details about the status of asbestos contamination and investigations at other U-Bahn stations in Cologne have been found. For the latest and detailed status, checking official Cologne city or transport authority communications or recent local news sources would be necessary.
Trains will continue to pass through the station, but at a reduced speed. The city is working diligently to address the situation and reopen the station as soon as it is safe to do so. In the meantime, passengers are advised to follow the instructions of the authorities and use neighboring stations for their travel needs.
- The temporary closure of the Nordstraße U-Bahn station has disrupted the usual public-transit operations in Cologne, leading to an increasing demand for alternative transportation means in the affected area.
- While the finance department of the city is working on implications of the asbestos discovery on the maintenance budget for the public-transit industry, it is essential to prioritize the safety of passengers and residents above all.
