Traffic jam - Start of the summer vacations ensures full roads and trains
When approximately 2.5 million students in NRW begin their summer vacations today, there may be long wait times in many places. Particularly on highways and railways, heavy traffic is expected during the weekend. According to ADAC traffic experts, patience will be required from both business commuters and holiday travelers.
"Those who want to head straight home from work towards the North and East Sea coast, Netherlands or southern holiday countries by car will initially encounter traffic jams," predicts an ADAC traffic expert. However, not only holiday traffic is the main cause, as not everyone travels on the first weekend. The commuter traffic is the most significant factor.
Many construction sites in NRW
ADAC anticipates traffic jams on highways in the greater Cologne/Bonn area, the entire Ruhr region, on the A1 (Cologne - Dortmund - Bremen - Hamburg), the A2 (Oberhausen - Dortmund - Hannover), and the A3 (Emmerich - Oberhausen - Cologne - Frankfurt). In addition, there are currently nearly 600 construction sites in NRW causing delays and additional travel time.
Flexible travelers are advised by ADAC to start their journey on Monday or Tuesday outside of rush hours. Moreover, it is expected to be quieter on the roads already during the weekend due to the absence of commuter traffic. "It's better to travel on Saturdays and Sundays," said an ADAC spokesperson to the German Press Agency.
Full trains for the holiday start
The German Railways prepare for a large number of passengers during the holiday season. "We have the highest demand according to our experience at the beginning and end of the holidays," said a Bahn spokesperson. From July 5 to 11 and August 17 and 18, there will therefore be a significant number of travelers on the move. Overcrowded trains are also expected at the holiday weekends. "Everything that rolls moves in long-distance rail," so the spokesperson.
Flexible travelers are advised by the Bahn to avoid peak travel times and instead travel early in the morning or late in the evening. It is also advisable to book a seat reservation and pay attention to the load in the DB Navigator. Disruptions and restrictions at the Bahn during the holidays include those around Duisburg. The route between Frankfurt and Mannheim is also closed towards the south.
- Despite starting their summer vacations today, thousands of students in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) might face prolonged wait times due to heavy traffic.
- The expert traffic advisory from ADAC warns of potential traffic jams on highways, particularly in the Cologne/Bonn area, the Ruhr region, and other major routes like A1 and A2.
- The A3 highway, connecting Emmerich to Cologne and Frankfurt, is also expected to experience significant traffic congestion due to the holidays and ongoing construction sites.
- Those planning a car trip towards the North Sea coast, Netherlands, or southern holiday countries should expect initial traffic delays.
- Commuter traffic and numerous construction sites are contributing factors to the expected traffic jams in NRW.
- German Railways anticipate high passenger demand during the vacation season, with peak travel times at the beginning and end of holidays.
- To avoid overcrowded trains, flexible travelers are advised to book early morning or late evening departures and pay attention to the DB Navigator load information.
- Disruptions and restrictions at the Bahn during the holidays include those around Duisburg and the closure of the route between Frankfurt and Mannheim towards the south.
