Construction site chaos on the A1: Danger of traffic jams in Cologne from June 13th!

Construction site chaos on the A1: Danger of traffic jams in Cologne from June 13th!

Things will get serious in Cologne from June 13, 2025: There is a major construction site on the A1 motorway, which will bring massive changes for drivers in the region. Comprehensive traffic restrictions are planned between the Cologne-Bocklemünd (102) and Cologne-Lövenich (103) junctions in the direction of Euskirchen, which will last until August 16, 2025. These measures are part of a large-scale maintenance and expansion project that is intended to take into account the high level of wear and tear on the road network, reports News.de.

The construction site stretches over a distance of 3.00 km and will be particularly challenging for heavy goods transport, as the maximum passage width in each direction is 11.25 m. Drivers must prepare for increased traffic volumes and possible traffic jams throughout the construction period. Commuters who travel this route every day in particular should plan their journeys carefully. It may be necessary to consider alternative routes, particularly during peak hours.

Larger picture: Flood of construction sites in North Rhine-Westphalia

But Cologne is not alone with its construction site. North Rhine-Westphalia has by far the most construction sites in Germany: According to the current ADAC figures, around two thirds of all nationwide construction sites are located in North Rhine-Westphalia. In May 2025, there were almost 750 construction sites in the state, although NRW only accounts for 17 percent of the German motorway kilometers. Frank Schewe from WDR explains that the dense network in North Rhine-Westphalia and the high commuter and transit traffic are largely responsible for the large amount of construction work. After all, transport infrastructure has been criminally neglected for many years, which only makes the need for these measures even more urgent Tagesschau.de reported.

The traffic jam situation has worsened dramatically in recent years. The total length of traffic jams has increased by 26 percent compared to the previous year. These numbers are alarming: almost 27,000 kilometers of traffic jams and a traffic jam lasting around 15,500 hours show that there is an urgent need for action. The pronounced construction site situation was also evident on the weekend of the 17th/18th. This became clear in May, when both full closures and numerous construction sites led to massive traffic disruptions.

Conclusion: shared fate

The upcoming construction site in Cologne is part of a large puzzle that extends across the whole of North Rhine-Westphalia. The challenges posed by this construction work are significant for drivers, who must be prepared to be more patient. It remains to be hoped that the traffic control centers will coordinate the construction sites better in order to minimize the inconvenience for road users and thus keep the “traffic chaos” within limits. Locals are well advised to get information in good time and to critically examine their usual routes so as not to get stuck in traffic jams unnecessarily. Further current information about construction sites on the A1 can also be found at verkehrslage.de.