Anticipates Heavy Traffic Congestion over Ascension Day Weekend, according to ADAC - Anticipated Road Congestion over Ascension Holiday Weekend, According to ADAC
Ascension Weekend Brings Anticipated Traffic Congestions to North Rhine-Westphalia
Drivers in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany, are advised to prepare for heavy traffic and lengthy congestions during the upcoming long Ascension weekend, starting on Wednesday. Last year, the day preceding Ascension witnessed 779 congestion hours, ranking among the top ten most congested days of the year, according to ADAC.
While there are no officially declared school holidays in NRW on Friday, many students have a flexible holiday day, increasing the number of travelers. Meanwhile, in other federal states, the bridge day is school-free, implying that many families may take short vacations.
Approximately 700 construction sites in NRW may contribute to traffic delays. Roman Suthold, head of the Traffic and Environment department at ADAC North Rhine, anticipates that congestion will particularly affect the motorways around Cologne and the Ruhr region due to the high volume of traffic and numerous construction sites.
ADAC predicts the most significant traffic during the mid-afternoon on Wednesday, when both commuters and vacationers share the roads. Delays can be avoided by setting off in the evening or on Thursday, as traffic should flow more smoothly at these times.
On Sunday afternoon, the return journey will likely involve more congestion. However, since commuters are off the roads at this time, congestion is expected to be less than at the beginning of the long weekend, Suthold notes.
It is generally inadvisable to avoid a motorway congestion through rural routes, as these often become congested as well. According to ADAC, getting off the motorway only makes sense in case of congestion exceeding ten kilometers or in the event of a complete closure.
The Wittekindskreis district, particularly around Herford, is a well-known spot for Ascension Day celebrations. Police presence in this area has increased to manage crowds and maintain order. Other key areas with increased traffic and gatherings include the former State Garden Show site at AquaMagica in Löhne, the cycle and footpath along the Werre between Löhne and Bad Oeynhausen, and the moorland road around the Hücker Moor in Spenge.
To avoid heavy traffic, traveling early in the morning or later in the evening before or on Ascension Day is recommended. Truck driving bans are not in effect during Ascension Day but on other specific dates, resulting in relatively moderate heavy truck traffic.
In an effort to navigate the expected congestion during Ascension Weekend, it may be beneficial for drivers to familiarize themselves with the community and employment policies regarding flexible work arrangements, as the increased number of travelers, especially students and vacationing families, may result in more cars on the road. Additionally, for those planning a lifestyle change that involves travel or the purchase of a car, consider factoring in potential car-maintenance costs and traffic delays, especially in the motorways around Cologne and the Ruhr region, due to the high volume of traffic and numerous construction sites.
