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A4 near Cologne: Massive closure causes traffic chaos until September 22nd!
A4 near Cologne closed from September 12th! Renovation work leads to traffic jams; Diversions via A1 and A3 recommended.
A4 near Cologne: Massive closure causes traffic chaos until September 22nd!
Starting this evening, things will get serious on the A4 near Cologne: From 10 p.m., the motorway in the direction of Olpe will be completely closed for a whole week between the Cologne-West motorway junction and the Eifeltor junction. Renovation work on a badly damaged roadway on a bridge over railway tracks is urgently needed, which had already led to lane narrowing and a speed limit in April. The work will last until September 22nd, 5:00 a.m. Rush hour traffic is likely to be particularly responsible for an increase in traffic jams and longer waiting times, as Stern reports.
The A4 is one of the busiest east-west connections in North Rhine-Westphalia, and getting along at peak times is a test of patience for many drivers. As the WDR adds, only one lane will be available between the Eifeltor junction and the Cologne-Süd junction. All of this combined suggests that the affected routes will be heavily congested in the coming days.
Diversions and alternatives
However, there are diversion routes for long-distance traffic that are intended to provide relief. Drivers from the Cologne-West intersection take the A1 towards Dortmund, while those from the Leverkusen intersection take the A3 to the Cologne-East intersection. These diversions could ease the pressure a bit, but you have to expect increased traffic jams during peak hours, especially at peak times, as the ADAC highlights.
There are also additional traffic jams and detours on other highways in the region. On Sunday, September 14th, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., the crossing from the A1 to the A3 in Leverkusen will be closed. The A43 in the Ruhr area will also be closed in both directions between Bochum-Riemke and Kreuz Recklinghausen until Monday, September 15th. Here the diversion runs via the A40, A45 and A2.
In summary, massive traffic disruptions are to be expected not only on the A4, but also on other important traffic axes. Drivers should prepare to drive patiently and plan alternative routes if possible.