by February 2026: Trucks over 7.5 tonnes barred from key roads around Cortina
In connection with preparations for the Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the authorities of the Italian province of Belluno will introduce temporary traffic bans for heavy goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) exceeding 7.5 tonnes in February. The restrictions will cover key roads in the Dolomites region and will take the form of both 24-hour closures and routes where transit will be permitted only during designated time windows.
In view of the upcoming Olympic events in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Prefecture of Belluno has issued a special ordinance introducing temporary traffic restrictions for heavy goods vehicles with a GVWR over 7.5 tonnes. The measures are intended to ensure public safety, orderly traffic flow and the efficient operation of emergency services. The bans will apply from 1 to 22 February and will affect national, regional and selected local roads in the Dolomites region. Below are the details for all road sections, in accordance with the official notice issued by the Prefecture of Belluno.
1. 24-hour ban (H24) – no exceptions
⭕ SS51 (Strada Statale 51)
▪️ Section: km 105+650 (end of the built-up area of Cortina) – km 118+150 (Cimabanche Pass)
▪️ Exceptions: transit permitted solely for loading and unloading operations between km 105+650 and km 107+050, as well as access to the Olympic Village in Fiames, subject to prior authorisation by the Sala Operativa Interforze.
⭕ SR48 (Strada Regionale 48 “delle Dolomiti”)
▪️ Section: km 124+500 (end of Cortina) – Palus San Marco location (km 142+100)
▪️ Exceptions: permitted exclusively on the basis of authorisation issued by the Sala Operativa Interforze.
2. Transit ban with time windows – night traffic allowed for loading and unloading according to the following schedule:
– February 4 and 5 – traffic is allowed from 00:00 to 07:00, followed by a transit ban from 07:00 to 21:00, and traffic is again permitted from 21:00 to 24:00.
– February 6 – traffic is allowed from 00:00 to 05:00, after which the transit ban remains in effect for the rest of the day until 24:00.
– February 7-22 – traffic is allowed from 00:00 to 04:00, followed by a transit ban from 04:00 to 21:00, and traffic is again permitted from 21:00 to 24:00.
⭕ SS51 (4 – 22 February 2026)
▪️ Section: km 56+150 (Ospitale di Cadore) – km 118+150 (Passo Cimabanche)
⭕ Other sections with night-time transit windows (6 – 22 February 2026)
▪️ SS51 bis km 0+000 – 12+100 (Ponte Nuovo)
▪️ SS52 “Carnica” Monte Croce Comelico Pass – Friuli Venezia Giulia border
▪️ SP368 “del Passo Giau” junction with SP251 – Pocol
▪️ SR203 “Agordina” Bivio Caprile – Bivio Cernadoi
▪️ SR48 “delle Dolomiti” Bivio Cernadoi – connection with SS52 (Auronzo di Cadore)
▪️ SP49 “di Misurina” SR48 – provincial border
▪️ SR251 “Val di Zoldo e Cellina” Forno di Zoldo – Bivio Rucavà
3. Exemptions and exclusions from the ban
The ban does not apply to:
▪️ Emergency and security services: Police, Fire Brigade, Armed Forces, Civil Protection, Red Cross.
▪️ Public utility services: vehicles for road maintenance, water, fuel and gas supply, waste collection, and interventions in electricity, telecommunications, postal and media networks.
▪️ Food transport: deliveries to retail outlets.
▪️ Olympic logistics: vehicles servicing the Olympic Games, holding a special PASS issued by the “Milano Cortina 2026” Foundation.
4. Recommendations for hauliers
The Prefecture of Belluno recommends that transport companies carefully plan routes and transit schedules, taking into account:
▪️ time-based and location-specific restrictions,
▪️ night-time transit windows for certain sections,
▪️ the requirement to obtain special permits for services exempt from the ban.
by Düsseldorf: Theodor-Heuss-Brücke ab 1. Februar für schwere Fahrzeuge gesperrt
Ab heute (1. Februar 2026) gilt auf der Theodor-Heuss-Brücke in Düsseldorf ein uneingeschränktes Fahrverbot für Fahrzeuge mit einem zulässigen Gesamtgewicht von mehr als 3,5 Tonnen. Damit ist eine weitere wichtige Rheinquerung nach der Josef-Kardinal-Frings-Brücke von Einschränkungen für den Schwerverkehr betroffen.
Das Verbot betrifft Lkw, Busse sowie andere schwere Nutzfahrzeuge und hat direkte Auswirkungen auf den Transitverkehr und den regionalen Transport.
Für Fahrzeuge über 3,5 Tonnen haben die Düsseldorfer Behörden offizielle Umleitungsstrecken festgelegt:
Fahrzeuge aus westlicher Richtung (NRW / linkes Rheinufer):
• ab dem Autobahnkreuz Kaarst über das Autobahn-Viereck (A52 / A57 / A46),
• alternativ innerhalb der Stadt über die Rheinkniebrücke.
Fahrzeuge aus östlicher Richtung:
• Umleitung über die B8 – Danziger Straße unter Nutzung der A44,
• oder über die B1 (Kennedydamm / Rheinufertunnel) mit Überquerung der Rheinkniebrücke.
Die Stadt informiert über das Fahrverbot und die Umgeleiteten Strecken mithilfe von Verkehrsschildern sowie elektronischen Wechselverkehrszeichen (VMS) entlang der wichtigsten Verkehrsachsen.
Die Maßnahme wurde aus Gründen der Bauwerksicherheit eingeführt. Die Theodor-Heuss-Brücke, die 1957 erbaut wurde, benötigt umfassenden Schutz vor weiterer Abnutzung. Die bisherigen Belastungen – darunter regelmäßige Fahrten von Fahrzeugen mit einem Gewicht von über 30 Tonnen – haben den Verschleiß der tragenden Konstruktion deutlich beschleunigt.
by New restrictions on the A12 Inntal, A13 Brenner oraz A14 Rheintal/Walgau motorway in Austria. Bridge renovation and truck bans
From 10 January 2026, new traffic bans for heavy goods vehicles will come into force on the A12 Inntal, A13 Brenner oraz A14 Rheintal/Walgau motorway in Austria in connection with the general renovation of the Luegbrücke bridge. The new regulations are based on an official ordinance issued by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure.
The restrictions apply to all trucks and vehicle combinations with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) exceeding 7.5 tonnes. The ban applies to the A12 Inntal, A13 Brenner oraz A14 Rheintal/Walgaumotorway section between the Nößlach interchange and Brenner Nord, in both directions – towards the Austrian-Italian border and towards Innsbruck, if the journey requires travelling along this section.
Periods of validity:
➡️ 1. A12 Inntal, A13 Brenner and A14 Rheintal/Walgau, if the purpose of the journey is to reach the state border (towards the Italian border) via the section between the Nößlach interchange and the Brenner Nord interchange:
• Saturdays from 10 January to 14 March 2026 → 07:00-15:00
• Saturday, 28 March 2026 → 07:00-15:00
• Saturdays from 23 May to 6 June 2026 → 07:00-15:00
• Saturdays from 27 June to 26 September 2026 → 07:00-15:00
• Selected working days: 2 April (Thursday), 13 May (Wednesday), 22 May (Friday), 3 June (Wednesday), 2 October (Friday) → 07:00-22:00
➡️ 2. A13 Brenner, between the Brenner Nord interchange and the Nößlach interchange, in the direction of Innsbruck:
• Saturdays from 10 January to 14 March 2026 → 07:00-15:00
• Saturdays from 4 July to 29 August 2026 → 07:00-15:00
• Friday, 10 April 2026 → 07:00-22:00
Exemptions from the ban
The above bans do not apply to vehicles performing journeys within the scope of:
1. Special and urgent transport operations:
– transport of slaughter animals,
– mail and periodical deliveries,
– beverages supplied to tourist areas,
– urgent deliveries to fuel stations, catering services and events,
– repair of refrigeration units, tow trucks, roadside assistance, rescue services and medical support,
– vehicles of public services, fire brigades, refuse collection vehicles, waste disposal and wastewater treatment services,
– road and railway maintenance vehicles and vehicles carrying out road works,
– vehicles of circuses and artists covered by Section 2(1)(42) of the KFG 1967,
– professional lighting and sound engineering vehicles travelling to/from the place of assignment,
– non-deferrable military movements of Austrian or foreign military vehicles in accordance with the Troops’ Residence Act (Truppenaufenthaltsgesetz).
2. Air and military transport:
– transport of goods to/from civil airports or military airports used for civil purposes.
3. Combined transport (rail–road or waterway–road):
– transport operations from the place of dispatch to the nearest suitable transhipment terminal and back, provided that a fully completed document confirming rail or inland waterway transport is carried on board.
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.