Large traffic jams are expected: A4 between Düren and Cologne closed for truck-scales!

Large traffic jams are expected: A4 between Düren and Cologne closed for truck-scales!

The streets around Cologne are faced with an important change. From Friday, July 18 at 10 p.m. to Monday, July 21st at 5 a.m., the A4 is closed towards Cologne. This measure affects the section between Langerwehe and Düren, since the first automatic truck scale is to be installed in North Rhine-Westphalia. The installation is part of a pilot project that is intended to increase the security and environmental protection in heavy-duty traffic, as WDR

With the setting up of the scale, a long overdue step is taken towards better traffic control. Overloaded trucks should be recognized and controlled more efficiently in the future. According to the information from autobahn.de , the weighting point on the rest area Rur-Scholle-Süd is aimed for for spring 2026. This position, strategically chosen between Aachen and Cologne, is intended to better regulate the heavy goods traffic from the important ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam.

deflections and stammering

The blocking is expected to result in storage diversions. Long -distance vehicles can dodge from cross Aachen via the A44 and A61, but this means a bypass of around 20 kilometers. Problems are particularly predictable at the Jackerath triangle and at the Kreuz Kerpen because many road users will go on these routes. The responsible persons warn that patience is asked because traffic jams on the detour routes will certainly not fail.

The planned weight control points are operated by Autobahn GmbH in cooperation with the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM). The cooperation agreement was signed in May 2023 and is aiming for a total of 16 such places nationwide. These new controls are not only intended to pull overloaded vehicles out of circulation in good time, but also to protect the street infrastructure and contribute to environmental protection, such as Verkehrsrundschau explained.

How the new scales

The weight measurement takes place via measurement strips built into the road, which already capture the weight of the trucks while driving. When an overload is recognized, the vehicles are then led to the Rur-Scholle-Süd rest area, where they are weighed on a special lane with a permanently installed scale. Depending on the result, vehicles have to be loaded or reloaded, and an administrative offense procedure is initiated if the weight exceeds the permitted limits. In this way, sustainable traffic protection can be guaranteed.

The announcement of these measures affects a wide interest, since it promises a significant improvement in dealing with heavy goods traffic in the region. Those responsible are optimistic that these weight control points not only increase traffic safety, but also help to reduce environmental overcharge and to relieve air traffic in the area of Cologne.