Road services strike in Germany: possible motorway closures and traffic jams in the Elbe tunnel

A nationwide strike by road services has begun in Germany, which may cause traffic disruptions on motorways and in tunnels. Find out when to expect the most significant complications and which regions will be most affected

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A nationwide strike by road services is starting in Germany, which could cause traffic disruptions on motorways across the country. The ver.di union has announced a “strike week” as part of a wage dispute with Autobahn GmbH des Bundes. This was reported by the German publication bild.de.

Road maintenance workshops, control centers, and tunnel management services will be affected by the strike. This means possible disruptions in road maintenance, slower response times to traffic accidents, and local closures of certain sections of motorways.

Wednesday, February 18: nationwide strike by road maintenance workshops

On Wednesday, road maintenance workshops (Autobahnmeistereien) across Germany will go on strike. Possible consequences:

● delays in road maintenance;

● slower response to traffic accidents;

● disruptions to cleaning, repair, and safety on the roads.

The following regions may be most affected:

● Lower Saxony;

● Bavaria (Munich area);

● Baden-Württemberg;

● North Rhine-Westphalia;

● Thuringia;

● Saxony-Anhalt.

Drivers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys and to monitor traffic reports.

Thursday, February 19: Tunnel control center strike

On Thursday, the strike will affect tunnel control centers. These include: Rennsteig, Hochwald, Alte Burg, Berg Bock (A71 motorway) and Emstunnel (A31) near Leer.

Some lanes are expected to be closed and traffic is expected to be significantly slowed in both directions. Due to restrictions on the work of dispatch services, there may be operational changes in traffic management.

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Friday, February 20, and Monday, February 23: serious problems in the Hamburg area

The most difficult situation is expected in the Hamburg area. On Friday and Monday, employees of the Elbtunnel control center will go on strike. The following is expected:

● closure of one lane in each direction;

● large-scale traffic jams in the tunnel;

● complications on the approaches to it.

In addition, services in North Rhine-Westphalia, in particular the Leverkusen transport center, will be on strike on these days.

Drivers are advised to plan alternative routes in advance or postpone trips if possible.

Given the situation, Ukrainians planning trips to Germany or transit through the country should be especially careful. Possible delays on highways and in tunnels may affect both car travel and airport transfers.

Before traveling abroad, it is important not only to check routes but also to take care of medical insurance. You can purchase a policy for travel to EU countries online at Visit Ukraine — this allows you to quickly obtain insurance that meets the requirements for entry and stay in Europe.

We remind you! Heavy snowfall and icy roads have paralyzed traffic in various regions of Ukraine: traffic jams have formed in cities, cars are stuck on highways, and Ukrzaliznytsia is changing train routes. Read about where the situation is most difficult, how public utilities are working, and what drivers and passengers can expect in the near future.

Photo: Julian Stratenschulte/dpa

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