Extended closures on the A1: construction site chaos in Hamm-Bockum!

Extended closures on the A1: construction site chaos in Hamm-Bockum!

The Federal Autobahn GmbH, Westphalia branch, announced today, October 15, 2025, that the closures at the Hamm-Bockum/Werne junction will be further expanded due to the renewal of the motorway bridge over Nordlippestrasse (L518). This measure is part of a comprehensive project to improve the transport infrastructure, which also focuses on the Haselnuss-Hochstrasse and thus underlines the importance of bridge renovations. The replacement of the old concrete slabs in the hard shoulder area with asphalt is currently in full swing and represents a necessary step towards construction site traffic management.

In particular, the exit from the motorway in the direction of Bremen is already closed, but that's not all: from Thursday, October 16th, from 9 a.m., the entrance to the motorway in the direction of Bremen will also be closed. This closure will last until Wednesday October 22nd at 7pm. A diversion via the demand diversion to the Ascheberg junction is signposted. Such measures are particularly important to ensure traffic safety and to advance infrastructure projects quickly. The need for such renovations is also evident in numerous motorway bridges in Germany that have been classified as requiring renovation, as recent reports on the condition of existing bridges make clear.

Current developments on the A1 motorway

The issue of construction sites and traffic safety is currently not only important locally. The A1 is one of the busiest motorways in Germany, with around 131,000 vehicles traveling on it every day. Recent reports from NDR show that a full closure of the section between the Hamburg-Billstedt junction and the Norderelbe motorway triangle has now been lifted due to renovation work. Last week there were significant traffic disruptions and traffic jams in the direction of Lübeck and Bremen, which diverted drivers into the city.

These incidents, coupled with the renovation work on the A1, have reignited the discussion about the condition and safety of the infrastructure in Germany. Experts warn that the condition of many bridges, including 43 motorway bridges over 50 meters long, is classified as “inadequate”. Innovative solutions and quick actions are required to cope with the increasing freight and heavy goods traffic and to ensure traffic safety.

The importance of bridge renovations

Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing has already taken steps to address these challenges by planning to renovate 400 bridges annually. These construction measures are not only of great importance for safety, but also for economic stability, as they ensure the smooth transport of goods and goods. An example of this is the Rahmede motorway bridge on the A45, which was closed due to significant damage and is now to be rebuilt.

In summary, it can be said that the current situation at the Hamm-Bockum/Werne junction is a sign of the growing challenges that Germany is facing in terms of transport infrastructure. It is obvious that further investments and rapid action are necessary to ensure safety on our roads and to ensure the long-term functionality of the transport infrastructure.