The Wiehltal Bridge is bursting at the seams. Germany’s A4 may be closed due to overloaded trucks
Truck traffic on the A4 section in the Bergisches Land region continues to pose a serious challenge. The Wiehltal Bridge is operating beyond its permissible load capacity despite the relief measures introduced in December 2024. The route operator, Autobahn GmbH, and ADAC warn that if the situation does not improve, a full closure of this key transport link may become necessary.
Autobahn GmbH emphasizes that both overloaded trucks exceeding the permissible gross vehicle weight and improperly loaded combinations with excessive axle loads continue to use the bridge. For this reason, authorities are appealing to drivers to strictly follow the regulations: no vehicles over 44 tonnes, maintaining a minimum distance of 50 metres between trucks, and rigorous compliance with axle load limits.
ADAC Nordrhein highlights the potential economic consequences of a possible closure. It stresses that costs for the economy could reach hundreds of millions of euros annually, and that truck drivers and freight operators in the region would be forced to cover additional detour kilometres amounting to millions in total - not per individual vehicle, but the cumulative distance of all transport traffic affected. As a result, fuel costs, CO₂ emissions and congestion levels would rise. ADAC also calls for consistent checks of overloading and distance compliance, as well as considering - as a “last resort” - the installation of a barrier with a scale at the bridge entrances near the Bielstein and Gummersbach exits.
For the transport industry, the A4 in this region is a strategic east-west corridor. Any disruption to traffic entails significant risks of delays, additional costs and the need for rerouting. Logistics companies and drivers must take possible restrictions into account, comply with weight and distance regulations, and monitor announcements from the route operator. The Wiehltal Bridge remains a critical point in the transport network. Overloading and the risk of a full closure require action from drivers, transport companies and authorities. The most important measures remain adhering to the 44-tonne limit, maintaining proper distance and avoiding axle overloading - otherwise, a closure of the route is possible.
