by Closures of the Fréjus tunnel
The Fréjus Road Tunnel under Col du Fréjus in the Cottian Alps connecting Modane in France with Bardonecchia in Italy will be closed in both directions on the following nights:
⏩ from 10 PM on Tuesday, March 5 to 6:00 AM on Wednesday, March 6,
⏩ from 10 PM on Wednesday, March 6 to 6:00 AM on Thursday, March 7,
⏩ from 10 PM on Tuesday, March 12, to 6:00 AM on Wednesday, March 13.
by Tirol: 150 days with HGV inspections in 2024
Approximately 2.4 million lorries crossed the Brenner Pass along the A12 motorway in 2023. This is why the Tyrolean authorities have decided to continue road checks of HGV transit traffic to ensure road safety.
This year, ASFINAG’s mobile inspection facility will be used on Tyrolean roads on 150 days, 38 more days than were originally planned. The regional parliament has decided to allocate approximately EUR 55,000 for this purpose. Every year, the Austrian motorway authority, together with technical inspectors and the police, test over 4,000 trucks. Inspectors check everything, from brakes to axle load and emission levels. ❗Inspections take place at checkpoints in Kundl and Radfeld, on the Brenner Pass, along national roads in Nauders, Leisach and Musau, and at checkpoints located on the lower-level road network and at motorway rest areas.
Technical faults pose the biggest risk to road safety, especially under unfavorable weather conditions. It is therefore important that lorries are roadworthy and their loads are properly secured. In addition to road-side checks, during which traffic police check the driver’s documents, compliance with driving and rest times, winter equipment and load securing, it is also important that the technical condition of vehicles should be carefully verified emphasizes René Zumtobela, a member of the Tirolean parliament responsible for transport.
In 2023, traffic inspectors worked a total of over 64,300 hours, almost 2,000 hours more than in 2022. Nearly 11,500 technical faults were detected. Inspections conducted in Kundl and Radfeld resulted in 3,700 warnings issued to drivers found in violation of HGV driving bans (weekend, night and sector driving bans), and in over 2,300 cases drivers were banned from continuing their journey. The modernization of the checkpoint in Radfeld will begin this year. In addition to infrastructural improvements, the facility will be expanded to increase inspection capacity and efficiency.
In terms of the number of HGV driving bans and the frequency of traffic inspections, Tyrol is one of Europe’s leading regions. Its authorities believe this is the only way in which existing bans can be effective. The number of detected violations is constantly increasing, which sends a clear signal to other drivers that the authorities mean business and will not tolerate any infringements in this area emphasizes René Zumtobela.
by Changes in the Hungarian road toll system. Fines for a wrong axle category
From January 1, lorries with five or more axles must be classified into the J5 category, and not to J4, as was the case before.
One of the changes in the Hungarian road toll system from January 1, 2024 is the introduction of the J5 axle category, which includes five-axle vehicles combinations even if one of the rear axles is lifted while driving. Failure to enter the correct number of axles may result in fines. From January 1 the J4 category can only be applied to four-axle vehicles. Operators of vehicles with five or more axles can provide information about the number of axles via the HU-GO website or their on-board devices.
by Tunel Mont Blanc – zamknięcia i ruch jednokierunkowy
Utrudnienia związane są z pracami konserwacyjnymi.
Całkowite zamknięcia ruchu, od godz. 22:00 do 6:00 rano:
– w poniedziałek 11 marca/ wtorek, 12 marca
– we wtorek 12 marca/ środę, 13 marca
– w środę 13 marca/ czwartek, 14 marca
– w czwartek 14 marca/ piątek, 15 marca
Całkowite zamknięcie ruchu, od godz. 23.00 do 4:00 rano:
– w czwartek 21 marca/ piątek, 22 marca
Naprzemienny ruch jednokierunkowy, od godz. 22:30 do 6:00:
– w poniedziałek, 4 marca/ wtorek, 5 marca
– we wtorek, 5 marca/ środę, 6 marca
– w środę, 6 marca/ czwartek, 7 marca
– w poniedziałek, 18 marca/ wtorek, 19 marca
– we wtorek, 19 marca/ środę, 20 marca
– w środę, 20 marca/ czwartek, 21 marca.
by Total closures in the Mont Blanc Tunnel in March
Total closures from 10.00 PM to 6.00 AM on the following nights:
– Monday, March 11 / Tuesday, March 12,
– Tuesday, March 12 / Wednesday, March 13,
– Wednesday, March 13 / Thursday March 14.
– Thursday March 14 / Fiday, March 15.
Total closures from 11.00 PM to 4.00 AM on the following night:
– Thursday, March 21 / Friday, March 22.
Alternating one-way traffic from 10.30 PM to 6.00 AM on the following nights:
– Monday, March 4 / Tuesday, March 5,
– Tuesday, March 5 / Wednesday, March 6,
– Wednesday, March 6 / Thursday, March 7,
– Monday, March 18 / Tuesday, March 19,
– Tuesday, March 19 / Wednesday, March 20,
– Wednesday, March 20 / Thursday, March 21.
by Tring to understand the incomprehensible: Spanish HGV driving bans
Spanish restrictions on the movement of heavy goods vehicles for 2024 retain restrictions already in force in 2023.
Spanish HGV driving bans are among the most extensive and complex ones – the relevant regulation is over 60 pages long! In addition to general restrictions to all HGVs, restrictions for vehicles transporting hazardous materials or abnormal loads, there are additional prohibitions related to, for example, sports events (e.g. cycling competitions, motorcycle Grand Prix) or pilgrimages.
➡️ Compared to last year, the Spanish transport authority DGT has not made big changes to the traffic restrictions for 2024, retaining general restrictions on the A8 between Cantabria and the Basque Country that apply every Saturday, Sunday and on public holidays during the summer period (July and August).
➡️ The restrictions on the N-631 in Zamora aimed at ensuring traffic flow between Spain and Portugal have been extended to all Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays in June, July and August.
➡️ Overtaking bans are retained on sections of some roads during the summer, in particular on AP-1, AP-4 and A-49, with the addition of a ban on April 1 and on Sundays and holidays in July and August on the A-62.
➡️ the overtaking ban for lorries on certain roads, introduced last year, is also retained, specifically:
◾ Every Saturday in June, July and August on the A-49 motorway (from Camas to Huévar from 9 a.m. to 11:00 AM and from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM. and from Huévar to Bollullos from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM)towards Huelva and on AP-4 from Dos Hermanas to Jerez from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM and from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM towards Cadiz.
◾ Every Sunday and public holidays in June, July and August on the A-49 from San Juan del Puerto to Seville, towards Seville from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, on the AP-4 from Jerez to Dos Hermanas, towards Seville from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and on the A-62 from Cubillas de Santa Marta to Tordesillas, in both directions, from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
◾ On Sundays in July (7, 14, 21 and 28) and August 11 on the AP-1 from Rubena to Pancorbo, towards Vitoria from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, as well as on August 15 and 21, November 1 and December 6, from Ameyugo to Ruben, towards Burgos, from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
❗ Each year, separate regulations for HGV traffic are published by Catalonia and the Basque Country. After the Autonomous Community of Navarre took over the responsibility for traffic managment, the local authorities have published their first resolution that introduces HGV restrictions. For more information on restrictions in Spain, visit www.trafficban.com/country.spain.moreinfo.75.pl.html
by Germany: After 10 years, the end of HGV driving as the new bridge in Leverkusen is open to traffic
Lorries can now use the first part of the new bridge across the Rhine. Until the second part of the bridge is completed, three lanes are available in both directions. The speed limit on the entire bridge section is 80 km/h and overtaking is prohibited.
Since the new bridge was officially opened on February 4, three narrowed lanes are available from the Leverkusen intersection to the Cologne-Niehl junction towards Koblenz/Twir., The main carriageway of the A1 in the direction of Dortmund at the Cologne-Niehl junction has been narrowed from three to two lanes. Between the Niehl junction and the Leverkusen Bridge, the slip lane serves as a third lane, so there are three narrowed lanes in this direction from the Rhine Bridge. Along he entire section between the Leverkusen intersection and the Cologne-Niehl junction narrowed lanes are marked with yellow road lines. The speed limit on the entire section is 80 km/h. Lorries, coaches and vehicle combinations with trailers are not allowed to overtake.
Since the new bridge has been opened, all previous weight restrictions (for vehicles with a MAM over 3.5 tons) no longer apply. This means that lorries, coaches and all other vehicles can cross the bridge again.
During the total closure at the end of January, five truck barriers were dismantled (on the A1 motorway in the direction of Dortmund and in the direction of Koblenz, on the road parallel to the A1 motorway at the Cologne-Niehl junction in the direction of Dortmund, on Industriestrasse before the Cologne-Niehl junction in the direction of Dortmund and on the A59 motorway at the Leverkusen junction West in the direction of Koblenz).
by Germany: A27 between the Uthlede and Hagen junctions closed until further notice
The A27 motorway, which connects Bremen, Bremerhaven and Cuxhaven, was completely closed on Wednesday, February 21, after a rusted ditch culvert under the motorway had caused the road surface to sink. On Monday, February 26, work will start to replace the existing corrugated steel pipe with a pipe made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic. After the renovation, it will no longer be necessary to check whether depressions have formed under the road because the road structure will be completely renewed.
On the A27 between Uthlede and Cuxhaven there are six ditch culverts made of corrugated steel, like the one near Hagen. All of them will now be to examined. At the same time, plans are being made for a new structure. The installation of a fiberglass-reinforced plastic pipe is therefore only a temporary solution, which will make it possible to continue renovation work with only one lane closed at a time, which means the motorway does not have to be completely closed as is currently the case.
The following diversions are currently available for vehicles with abnormal loads:
◾Between Bremen and Bremerhaven the former Bundesstraße 6, now L135, is used as a connection between the A27 Ihlpohl and Bremerhaven-Süd junctions. Alternatively, one should not enter or exit the A27 motorway at Bremerhaven-Süd, but continue via the B6 and B71 to the Bremerhaven-Wulsdorf junction. The same route should be used in the opposite direction.
◾Between Oldenburg and Bremerhaven, the connection follows along the tunnel under the Weser river from the A29 motorway in Oldenburg via the A293, B211, B212 and B437 (the Weser Tunnel) to the A27 Stotel junction. The same route should be used in the opposite direction.
by Poland: Road blocks at Świecko and difficulties on the A2 and in Słubice
From February 25 to March 20, Polish farmers are going to protest against the inflow of agricultural goods from Ukraine, the green deal policy, the withdrawal of some agrochemicals and eco-terror.
According to information published by the District Police Headquarters in Słubice, traffic disruptions on the A2 motorway in both directions and in Słubice can be expected from Sunday, February 25 to March 20. Additionally, the A2 in the direction of Germany will be completely blocked during this time. Farmers’ protests can also cause disruptions on the bridge across the Odra river.
❗ HGV traffic on the A2 in the direction of Germany will be diverted to the S3 expressway towards Zielona Góra at the Jordanowo junction so that it can continue towards the border crossing in Gubinek. It is important to remember that lorries cannot cross the border bridge in Kostrzyn nad Odrą because it is being renovated and can only be used by cars. Cars heading for Germany will be diverted to the K29 road towards Krosno Odrzańskie and the K31 road towards Słubice and Kostrzyn nad Odrą.
The blockade has been registered in the Public Information Bulletin of the Słubice Commune and will be held at the Słubice junction (E-30 (A-2) / K29) and from the junction on both carriageways of the A-2 to the border crossing in Świecko.
by Spain: a temporary derogation from drivers‘ hours in Februrary
In the face of difficulties experienced by tens of thousands of Spanish hauliers caused by protests started two weeks ago by Spanish farmers, the Ministry of Transport has decided to relax the rules regarding driving and rest times.
The protests have affected approximately 100,000 lorries, i.e. almost half of the Spanish HGV fleet. The new resolution, published on Tuesday, February 20, applies to all carriers affected by the above-mentioned protests in the period of 5-14 Februrary and 19-26 February.
By virtue of the derogation:
◾daily driving time has been extended from 9 to 10 hours,
◾weekly driving time – from 56 to 60 hours,
◾the daily rest period has been shortened from 11 to 9 hours,
◾drivers are allowed to postpone the start of the weekly rest period beyond six 24-hour periods.
The industry association FENADISMER has notified the Ministry of Transport about problems in the application of the derogation in the week from February 12 to 18, when two different rules were in force: the period covered by the resolution did not cover the days from February 15 to 18, although the revised rules apply on a weekly or daily basis and, therefore, take into account other time constraints that are in effect during the week.