13.05.2026

The “Ulmer Spatz” Gets Some Competition: the “Ulmer Kartoffel”

At Blaubeurer Tor, it is not only the traffic situation that is changing – the cityscape of Ulm is also temporarily taking on a new shape.

As part of the renewal of the B10, a new temporary traffic solution had to be created to replace the former Blaubeurer Tor roundabout, which had been prone to accidents. The reason: the demolition and reconstruction works around Wallstraßenbrücke, Blaubeurer Tor Bridge and the future Blaubeurer Tor Tunnel require space – a lot of space.

Planned with Precision, Named with a Smile

The solution developed by the planners is as functional as it is tongue-in-cheek: an enlarged traffic layout which, when viewed from above, resembles less of a classic roundabout and more of a potato. On site, a fitting name has already become established: the “Ulmer Kartoffel” – or, internationally speaking, the “Cartoffel”.

While traffic is being reorganised for the construction period, the demolition works are visibly progressing. After the spectacular removal of large structural elements by heavy-duty crane and the subsequent work carried out by demolition excavators, less and less remains of the ageing bridges. Step by step, space is being created for one of the City of Ulm’s key infrastructure projects.

BuP. Boll Beraten und Planen Plans in the Area of the New Tunnel

One of the central elements planned is the approximately 200-metre-long Blaubeurer Tor Tunnel. To make this possible, the circular traffic layout at Blaubeurer Tor has been widened; northbound traffic is currently routed via a temporary carriageway east of Blaubeurer Tor. During the construction works, the B10 southbound between the Wissenschaftsstadt junction and the city centre will remain closed until the end of 2029.

BuP – Boll Beraten und Planen is involved in the “Renewal of the B10” project as part of an engineering consortium with KB – Konstruktionsgruppe Bauen and Bernd Gebauer. BuP is responsible for the planning in the area of the new tunnel at Blaubeurer Tor.

The result is a project that combines a highly demanding traffic situation with technical expertise, precise planning and a good dose of Ulm humour. One thing is certain: alongside the “Ulmer Spatz”, the city now has another landmark – at least temporarily – the “Ulmer Kartoffel”.

Further information