A1 will be partially closed due to repairs

Authorities are warning drivers of significant traffic congestion on the A1 motorway this weekend: sections of the motorway will be completely closed near the Iergäertchen roundabout due to urgent repairs to a bridge structure. The National Road Administration has announced that from 23:00 on Friday and until 04:00 on Monday morning, the expansion joints on the overpass will be replaced around the clock.

During the works, traffic in both directions will be reduced to one lane with a speed limit of 70 km/h. This should ensure the safety of both workers and drivers, but the authorities warned explicitly that traffic jams and delays will not be tolerated.

Special attention should be paid to changes at exits and entrances. There will be closures on Friday evening:

• The A1 exit at the Hamm interchange for traffic travelling from Gasperich;
• the A1 entrance on the same stretch for those travelling towards Trier.

Drivers will have to take diversions routes, which will be signposted. To get to Hamm, you will have to take the Senningerberg roundabout, then the N1, N1A and N2A roads. To enter the Hamm - in the reverse order.

The peculiarity of the forthcoming repair is that the disturbances will begin even before its official start: already from Friday preparatory work on the reconfiguration of the road scheme will take place. This means that the traffic slowdown will start not at night, but closer to evening.

The reason for urgent repairs is technical wear and tear: expansion joints are elements that allow the bridge to "breathe" under changing temperatures and loads. If they fail, the structure loses flexibility and stability, which can lead to serious damage.

While authorities are trying to minimise the inconvenience, drivers are advised to plan routes in advance, especially if the journey is scheduled for Friday evening or the weekend.