A1 partially closed due to accident - Gas leaking from truck
On Wednesday evening, enforcement teams shut down Autobahn 1 completely, after a leaking tanker truck lost an unidentified amount of Ethylene. The gas is highly flammable, leading the enforcement teams to consider evacuating the entire area. It is still unclear when the Autobahn will be reopened.
Autobahn 1, which is usually heavily trafficked, has been closed in both directions between the Kamener Kreuz and Dortmund/Unna due to a leaking hazardous goods transporter. According to the Autobahn GmbH, the duration of the closure is still uncertain. The tanker truck is on the central north-south connection in the Bremen direction, and the situation is reported to be very personnel- and time-intensive.
Long-distance traffic on the heavily trafficked Autobahn should divert extensively, for example, via A33 and A44 or via A43. In the local area, drivers should switch to A2 and A45.
Evacuation and controlled burning considered
According to Anna Gemünd, a spokesperson for the city of Unna, ethylene has leaked from the tanker. The gas is highly flammable. It is still unclear how the hazardous substance can be removed from the tanker. Several options are being considered, including controlled burning of the gas. In that case, certain areas may need to be evacuated. Approximately 400 people would be affected by this measure. However, other options for extracting the gas are also being explored.
The exact amount of ethylene in the tanker with a ten-ton capacity is still unknown. The substance is used in the chemical industry or for the production of plastics or paints.
Traffic problems expected on holiday route
Autobahn 1 is a central north-south connection through North Rhine-Westphalia towards Bremen and has been completely closed since Wednesday evening. A spokesperson for ADAC (Automobile Club of Germany) expects significant problems on Friday afternoon if the closure continues. The route on the A1 also leads to the North and Baltic Seas, a popular destination for vacationers from North Rhine-Westphalia. The schoolchildren in the most populous federal state have already started their summer holidays.
Additionally, there is the commuter traffic - Friday afternoon is usually the busiest traffic day of the week. The area is also otherwise heavily congested, the ADAC spokesperson added. If the full closure lasts longer, significant consequences can also be expected on the alternative routes.
Due to the leaked ethylene from the tanker on Autobahn 1, international travelers might face unexpected delays. They may need to adjust their routes, considering alternatives such as the A33 and A44 or the A43.
Given the high flammability of ethylene and the ongoing evacuation considerations, traffic accidents might increase on the alternate routes, as drivers navigate unfamiliar roads and cope with increased traffic.
