by Night works in the Beneluxtunnel. A4 completely closed on 8-9 December
During the night of 8–9 December 2025, drivers will face major disruptions on the A4 route in the Rotterdam area. Rijkswaterstaat has announced a complete closure of the Beneluxtunnel in both directions, as well as of exit no. 16 Vlaardingen-Oost.
The restriction will be in force from Monday, 8 December, at 21:30 until Tuesday, 9 December, at 5:00. The night-time closure is being introduced due to scheduled maintenance works. Authorities note that entries and exits may be closed earlier to prepare the tunnel for technical operations.
➡️ Transit traffic will be redirected to the Rotterdam Ring, which will increase travel time, especially for heavy goods vehicles. For cyclists and scooter users, a free shuttle service will be provided through one of the tunnel tubes. In the event of incidents, emergency services will have access to tube C.
by Christmas Eve Becomes a Public Holiday, but Without Truck Driving Bans. Ministry Confirms
Starting in 2025, 24 December will officially become a statutory public holiday. This is the first time such a provision has been introduced in Poland. However, as confirmed by the Ministry of Infrastructure in a statement provided to our editorial team, this change will not result in the introduction of truck driving bans on Christmas Eve.
The currently applicable regulations regarding restrictions on the movement of heavy vehicles stem from the Regulation of the Minister of Transport on periodic restrictions and bans on the movement of certain types of vehicles on roads. This regulation includes only the specific public holidays listed therein, such as 25 and 26 December. It does not include either 24 December or Epiphany (6 January), even though both days are statutory holidays.
The Ministry clearly states that 24 December is not included in the list of days subject to bans on the movement of vehicles and vehicle combinations with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 12 tonnes. Therefore, truck transport may take place without restrictions on Christmas Eve. The same applies to 6 January, for which no driving bans are in force. Meanwhile, the regulations for 25 and 26 December remain unchanged, meaning the restrictions will apply from 8:00 to 22:00. Importantly, the Ministry of Infrastructure reported that no legislative work is currently underway to amend the regulation, despite the fact that Christmas Eve has been designated as a public holiday.
Source: Ministry of Infrastructure for etransport.pl
by Trucks Over 20 Tonnes Banned from Parts of the Road Network in Hungary
Hungarian transport organisations are sounding the alarm over the escalating problem of introducing local restrictions for trucks over 20 tonnes without any consultation with the industry. According to the Hungarian Road Transport Association (MKFE), carriers were taken by surprise when, on 15 November 2025, a no-entry sign for heavy vehicles appeared on national road 3501 between Polgár and Hajdúnánás.
MKFE reported the situation in a letter addressed to the State Secretary for Transport, emphasising that this is yet another case of restrictions being imposed without dialogue. In previous weeks, similar actions were taken in the Győr region on roads 81 and 82, as well as in northern Hungary near Tokaj and Tállya on national road 39. The organisation stresses that such measures could only be justified in relation to transit traffic, where vehicles crossing Hungary are required by regulation to use motorways as their primary routes. However, imposing weight limits on major roads has disastrous consequences for domestic transport, which is responsible for local deliveries and regional supply chains.
MKFE estimates that the new restrictions may generate additional costs amounting to several million forints per vehicle per year. They force long detours, extend journey times, reduce operational efficiency, and worsen working conditions for drivers. The letter also notes that the restricted roads form part of the national road network, which was designed to accommodate heavy traffic; therefore, the decision to close them to transport has been deemed unjustified. Moreover, the industry points out that the detours lead drivers onto lower-quality roads with increased accident risks, while carriers are exposed to fines and police sanctions for breaching local signage that often conflicts with national road traffic regulations. MKFE warns that these measures may further deepen the shortage of professional drivers, as they hinder the execution of transports and make it impossible to comply with driving and rest-time rules.
MKFE and NiT Hungary are calling for the immediate withdrawal of the restrictions and emphasise the need for industry consultation before implementing any measures affecting the road transport sector.
by 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.
by Netherlands closes A7: detours for trucks, delays up to 90 minutes
On the night from Tuesday, November 18 to Wednesday, November 19, between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., the A7 motorway (section at the Afsluitdijk entrance) in the direction of Friesland will be completely closed from the Den Oever (14) exit.
The closure is necessary to repair significant pavement damage; in several locations, the asphalt has holes and is not suitable for normal use. During this period, traffic toward Friesland via the Afsluitdijk will be entirely blocked.
For truck drivers, this means a mandatory detour: the recommended route is via A7 → N307 (Houtribdijk) → A6. The estimated additional travel time may be up to 90 minutes.
Traffic in the opposite direction, toward North Holland, remains unaffected and can continue as usual.
by Rotterdam: A Month of Disruptions on A16/A20. Detours for Trucks
From November 7 to December 7, 2025, truck drivers will face major changes in the Rotterdam area. Rijkswaterstaat is carrying out reinforcement works on the viaduct structure at the key Terbregseplein interchange, which connects the A16 and A20 motorways.
Due to the works, some ramps will be completely closed to traffic, causing disruptions on one of the Netherlands’ most important transit corridors. The most significant inconvenience concerns the ramp connecting the A20 to the A16 in the direction of Dordrecht (from the Hoek van Holland side), which will remain closed continuously for four weeks from Friday, November 7 at 22:00 until Sunday, December 7 at 08:00. In addition, there will be three weekend closures of the remaining A20-to-A16 connections (traffic from the Gouda side towards both The Hague and Dordrecht):
❌ November 7 (22:00) – November 10 (05:00)
❌ November 21 (22:00) – November 22 (23:59)
❌ December 6 (22:00) – December 7 (08:00)
Rijkswaterstaat warns that the disruptions may result in 10–30 minutes of additional travel time, and during rush hours or in the event of road incidents, delays could reach up to 60 minutes.
Detours for Heavy Vehicles
Depending on the direction of travel, transit traffic will be diverted as follows:
➡ Direction Dordrecht: A20 → A4 (Benelux Tunnel) → A15
➡ Direction The Hague: A20 → A13
⭕ Transport of Dangerous Goods will be directed onto designated diversion routes:
• A20 → A13 → new A16 section (Rottemeren Tunnel)
• alternatively: A20 → A12 → A27
by New Weight Restrictions on National Roads No. 7 and No. 64 in Hungary
Starting Monday, November 3, permanent weight limits for heavy goods vehicles will come into effect on two major routes in western Hungary – National Road No. 7 and National Road No. 64.
National Road No. 7
Entry is prohibited for vehicles with a maximum permissible gross weight exceeding 7.5 tons, except for local traffic.
– The restriction applies to the following sections:
• The area around Szabadbattyán and Polgárdi (km 78+459 – 84+395),
• From the M7–Polgárdi junction to the center of Lepsény (km 87+772 – 94+095).
National Road No. 64
Entry is prohibited for vehicles with a maximum permissible gross weight exceeding 22 tons, except for local traffic.
The restriction covers the section between Mátyásdomb and the roundabout at Road No. 7 (km 25+060 – 37+524).
According to the road authority’s announcement, the decision aims to reduce the phenomenon of heavy vehicles diverting from the M7 motorway onto lower-category roads and to mitigate the negative impact of transit traffic on residents of the Fejér region.
by Germany: Complete closure of the A8 towards Munich. Detours for trucks
The A8 motorway will be completely closed in the direction of Munich between Mühlhausen and Merklingen. The closure will last from Friday, October 31 at 9:00 p.m. until Monday, November 3 at 5:00 a.m.
Traffic towards Stuttgart (Albabstieg) will not be restricted. On the nine-kilometre section known as Albaufstieg, maintenance and safety works will be carried out – including resurfacing, bridge repairs, and replacement of guardrails. According to Autobahn GmbH, this is the final stage of works aimed at preparing the A8 for winter conditions.
To avoid congestion and excessive pressure on local roads, the motorway authority urges drivers not to rely on GPS navigation and to follow the official diversion routes.
➡️ Transit traffic: from the Weinsberg interchange – via motorways A6 and A7 → then to A8 towards Munich or A7 towards Füssen.
➡️ Regional traffic: from the Wendlingen interchange via B313 and B10 to the Ulm-West interchange (access to A8 towards Munich).
➡️ Local traffic: from the Mühlhausen interchange via B466 and B10 (detour U29) to Ulm-West or L1230 towards Merklingen.
The A8 motorway is a key west-east connection in southern Germany. The route links Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, and Munich with Salzburg and is one of the country’s busiest roads – especially during public holidays and vacation periods.
by Antwerp: Major Traffic Disruptions for Trucks in November
Drivers planning routes through northern Belgium should expect significant disruptions in the Antwerp area. Construction work on new traffic interchanges will begin on the R1 motorway, resulting in traffic restrictions.
Due to the construction of these new interchanges, temporary traffic disruptions will be introduced on the R1 motorway in both directions on the following dates:
➡ 27–31 October
➡ 7–12 November
Recommended detours and alternative routes
Drivers travelling between Hasselt and Ghent are advised to take a detour via Brussels on the specified dates. Vehicles coming from the A12 (north) and E19 (north) towards Ghent should use the R2 motorway and the Liefkenshoek Tunnel.
Good news for drivers: during the period of major disruptions, the Liefkenshoek Tunnel will be toll-free in both directions on the following days and times:
➡ 8 and 9 November (Saturday and Sunday) from 8:00 to 20:00,
➡ 10 November (Monday) from 6:00 to 22:00,
➡ 11 November (Tuesday) from 8:00 to 20:00.
Antwerp R1: Major disruptions from 7 to 12 November
From Friday, 7 November, 22:00, until Wednesday, 12 November, 05:00, drivers should expect heavy congestion and reduced capacity on the Antwerp Ring Road (R1) between Merksem and Deurne. On the Deurne–Borgerhout section towards Ghent and Brussels, only two lanes will remain open.
The following closures will be in effect:
◾ On-ramp from Deurne to the Ring Road towards Ghent and Brussels,
◾ E313–R1 junction towards Ghent and Brussels,
◾ R1 connection from the Netherlands to the E313,
◾ On- and off-ramps in Berchem and Merksem,
◾ Groenendaallaan towards Merksem,
◾ Mechelsebrug towards the city centre.
by Slovak Carriers Renew Fight to Lift Truck Overtaking Ban
The association ČESMAD Slovakia has submitted to parliament a draft amendment to the Road Traffic Act, addressing the rules for overtaking by trucks over 7.5 tonnes on motorways. The aim of the proposal is to introduce clear and safe regulations defining when truck drivers may legally perform an overtaking maneuver.
The initiative has been championed for several years by the Union of Road Hauliers of Slovakia (UNAS), which already in 2023 called for the abolition of the total overtaking ban imposed by the government of Igor Matovič. According to UNAS, the current regulations are impractical and harmful — both to traffic flow and to safety on Slovak motorways.
Under the proposal prepared jointly by UNAS and the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic, overtaking would be permitted only during specific hours or on sections of road marked with appropriate traffic signs.
UNAS recalls that the first version of the bill was submitted to parliament back in 2023, but was rejected by a single vote. The decisive votes came from MP and current Minister of Economy Denisa Saková (Hlas party) and several parliamentarians from the Sme rodina party, which was then part of the governing coalition.
Now, ČESMAD Slovakia has once again submitted the amendment, emphasizing — as UNAS points out — the need to align Slovak legislation with the practices in other EU member states. In most European countries, trucks are allowed to overtake under clearly defined conditions, ensuring a balance between safety and traffic fluidity.
The organization also stresses that the Slovak transport sector is increasingly burdened by political decisions, including rising taxes, additional transaction fees, and an inefficient toll collection system. UNAS urges lawmakers to take into account both road safety and the real economic impact on carriers when drafting new transport regulations.