Complete closure of the A1: four bridges disappear in one weekend!

Complete closure of the A1: four bridges disappear in one weekend!

A major construction project is coming up and it won't just be exciting for those driving on the A1 motorway between Vechta and Cloppenburg. From Friday, November 7th at 8 p.m., the motorway will be completely closed in both directions until Monday, November 10th at 5 a.m. The reason for this? The demolition of four overpass structures. This measure is part of a comprehensive project that will see new, robust bridges built at the same location in the coming months.

How Westphalia motorway According to reports, around 60 employees and 16 excavators are working on this mammoth project. A total of 6,500 tons of broken concrete will be transported to the recycling point during the demolition work, in around 270 truckloads. The old bridges, which date back to the 1960s, can no longer carry today's traffic loads and are being replaced by new buildings that are built according to the latest technical standards.

Detours and impact on traffic

Of course, this complete closure also has an impact on traffic. The motorway will be routed in the direction of Bremen from Vechta via the U13 diversion, while in the direction of Dortmund the U52 diversion will come into force from Cloppenburg. As part of the closure, the Cappeln Hagelage rest area will be closed on both sides from Friday, November 7th at 8 a.m. Anyone planning to travel this route should prepare for the diversions in good time.

Precise preparations for the demolition have already begun. This includes, among other things, the milling of asphalt layers, the dismantling of railings and the dismantling of protective devices. After the demolition, protective barriers will be installed and traffic flow on the A1 will be restored. If everything goes according to plan, traffic should be moving again at 5 a.m. on Monday morning, and there will then be three lanes in each direction again with a speed limit of 100 or 120 km/h.

Further construction work in prospect

But that's not the end of the construction work. Another full closure is planned for spring 2026, which will be necessary to lift the new bridge parts into place. The next closure is also expected to put a strain on traffic in the region, as diversions will have to be put in place again during this time.

These comprehensive construction measures are necessary to make the infrastructure of the A1 motorway future-proof. The new bridges will not only increase traffic safety, but also ensure smooth traffic flow. This is particularly important in times when roads are being used more and more. You can find out more about this on the website NOZ.

The next few weeks will present a special challenge for all road users. Find out about the diversions in good time and be patient - the new bridges will definitely pay off!