Traffic disruptions in Belgium, Germany, France and the RD66 between France and Spain

Traffic disruptions are expected in Belgium (Liège E25-E40/A602 connection and in the Ruppel tunnel on the A12), in Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, Dresden, in France on the RN134 leading to the Somport tunnel and on the section of the RD66 between France and Spain (for special transports).

Belgium

⭕ Due to maintenance work, the Liège E25-E40/A602 connection between junction 35 \"Avroy/Laveu\" and junction 39 \"Chênée\" (in both directions) will be completely closed from 10:00 PM (gradual closure from 8:30 PM) until 6:00 AM (gradual reopening from 5:00 AM) on the following nights:
- from Sunday, 15 September, to Monday, 16 September,
- from Monday, 16 September, to Tuesday, 17 September,
- from Tuesday, 17 September, to Wednesday, 18 September,
- from Wednesday, 18 September, to Thursday, 19 September,
- from Thursday, 19 September, to Friday, 20 September,
- from Monday, 23 September, to Tuesday, 24 September.

Traffic will be diverted via the A604, routes S1 and B.

⭕ Work in the Ruppel Tunnel (A12) towards Brussels will begin on Monday, 16 September. In order to minimise disruptions to traffic, work will be carried out at night. From Monday evening to Saturday morning, between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM, the tunnel tube in the direction of Brussels will be closed. Traffic in both directions will be possible via the second tube on narrowed lanes. In February 2025, preparations will start in the tunnel tube towards Antwerp. The work will last around 120 nights and, if the conditions are favourable, will be completed by the end of April 2025.

Germany

⭕ The sugar beet harvest has started in Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, which means that trucks and tractors pulling trailers with sugar beets will be frequently travelling on many roads in the region. As a result, traffic disruptions can be expected, especially on national and county roads. During the sugar beet harvest, caution is advised, especially near the sugar factories in Clauen, Klein Wanzleben, Könnern, Nordstemmen, Schladen, Uelzen and Zeitz.

Advice for drivers:
• Increase your vigilance! Beetroot can lie anywhere on the road or fall off a truck right in front of your car. If you keep a greater distance, you will be able to react in time.
• Allow more time for your commute (at least 15 to 30 minutes).
• Beetroot dirt makes roads greasy and slippery during rain. So take your foot off the gas.
• Only overtake when there is definitely no vehicle coming from the opposite direction.
• Be even more careful in darkness and fog. Beetroot transports also take place at night.

⭕ For reasons still unknown, the Charles Bridge in Drsden partially collapsed in the early morning on September 11. A 100-meter section of the bridge section used by trams fell into the Elbe River. Emergency services have closed the entire area around the bridge and the bridge itself.

⚠️Teilabschnitt der #Carolabrücke in #Dresden eingestürzt! Der gesamte Bereich um die Carolabrücke, die Bundeswasserstraße #Elbe sowie der #Elberadweg und das #Terrassenufer sind für den Verkehr komplett gesperrt!

— Polizei Sachsen (@PolizeiSachsen) September 11, 2024

France: the RN134 road

⭕ The prefecture of the French department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques has reported that the RN134 road leading to the Somport tunnel his unpassable in both directions near Urdos following heavy rains that fell from Friday to Saturday. As a result, the French authorities have closed access to the Somport tunnel. Truck drivers who usually cross the French-Spanish border via the Somport tunnel are advised to take the route via Irun in the Basque Country. Because of the damage caused by a landslide the RN134 road on the French side has been closed and will remain inaccessible for at least six months.

The Bielsa-Aragnouet tunnel, another border crossing in the Aragonese Pyrenees, is also closed on the Spanish side due to landslides caused by the same heavy rains. It is also worth recalling that the O Portalet pass on the French-Spanish border in the Central Pyrenees is closed to HGV traffic. Heavy rains in the Aspe valley, which is crossed by the RN134 road, have caused damage in the towns of Urdos, Etsaut, Borce and Cette Eygun.

France/Spain: the RD66 road

⭕ Owing to major construction works on the RD66 in the commune of Fontpédrouse in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, traffic will be disrupted from 9 September to 6 December.

For this reason, an driving ban for vehicles with a GVW over 48 tonnes (special transports) will be in effect from 7:15 PM on 9 September to 6:30 AM on 6 December, on the RD66 between the Villefranche-de-Conflent and Mont-Louis roundabouts. The driving ban does not apply to local transport towards Vernet-les-Bains.

During the closure of the RD 66, HGVs travelling on the RN 20 or from Spain via Puigcerda have to park in Bourg-Madame. HGVs using the RD 66 have to park in Prade.