Traffic-free roads set for Ascension Day weekend commute - Boisterous crowds filling streets mark the commencement of Ascension Weekend celebrations.
During the upcoming Ascension Weekend, North Rhine-Westphalia—particularly Cologne and the Ruhr area—is bracing for heavy traffic, predicts the ADAC traffic club. Ascension Day, a public holiday in Germany, triggers increased travel, with Wednesday afternoon and early evening experiencing peak congestion as workers set off on their extended weekend.
Traditionally, the day before Ascension Day ranks among the ten busiest traffic days of the year due to these early departures, causing significant delays on highways and roads, especially in North Rhine-Westphalia's numerous construction zones. Roman Suthold, head of the traffic and environment department at ADAC North Rhine, warns that areas with reduced lanes pose a high risk of traffic jams.
Although there are no official school holidays in North Rhine-Westphalia on Friday, many students have a movable holiday and are therefore absent from school. Moreover, in several other federal states, the Ascension Thursday bridge day is a public holiday, anticipating a rise in families heading for a short vacation. More than 700 construction sites currently on North Rhine-Westphalia's motorways may exacerbate these troublesome traffic conditions.
As offices and public services close on Ascension Day itself, retail establishments situated in train stations, airports, and along highways will stay open, though public transportation will operate less frequently. Despite these accommodations, commuters and vacationers are urged to plan their travel accordingly to avoid congestion during the most crowded periods.
Real-time traffic monitoring systems and traffic apps can help navigate the region during this time, offering valuable insights and updates to ensure a smoother journey over the extended weekend.
Community members are advised to familiarize themselves with the community policy regarding traffic during the upcoming Ascension Weekend, given the increased travel and congestion expected, especially in Cologne and the Ruhr area. To help smooth out the lifestyle disruptions caused by travel and traffic during this time, consider taking advantage of vocational training opportunities that can be accessed through apps or online resources, transforming the travel-induced wait times into productive vocational learning experiences.
