The ADAC Württemberg is expecting a lot of traffic jams at the start of the holidays in Baden-Württemberg. However, the first big wave of travel of the year begins with gloomy weather prospects.
Because many people head off on vacation at the start of the Pentecost holidays at the weekend, the ADAC Württemberg is expecting a lot of traffic on the country’s motorways. The two-week holiday period also begins in Bavaria. The association said that the risk of traffic jams in southern Germany is high. “It will be particularly intense on Friday,” said ADAC traffic jam advisor Joachim Baumhauer.
Last year, the Friday before Pentecost took second place on the list of the most congested days of the year in Baden-Württemberg: On that day, the ADAC recorded a total of 267 hours of standstill on all roads in the country.
Pentecost Sunday is probably the best day to travel
The risk of traffic jams is particularly high on the A8 between Karlsruhe, Stuttgart and Ulm. “It will hardly be possible here without a traffic jam, especially on Friday,” feared the expert. The Albaaufstieg between Aichelberg and Merklingen is also a place where it will definitely be crowded. There is also the risk of traffic jams due to construction sites, for example at the permanent construction site near Pforzheim and currently between Stuttgart Airport/Trade Fair and Neuhausen, where the road is being renovated. As a result, the lanes are narrowed in both directions. The A5, a classic travel route, will also be busy; for example, a lot of traffic is expected at the Waldorf intersection and the Karlsruhe triangle. The same applies to the A7 and the A81.
A second wave of travel is likely to follow on Saturday, the traffic jam advisor continued. “If you are flexible with your time, you have the best chance of a traffic-free journey on Sunday morning,” explained Baumhauer. On Whit Monday the return traffic would start again around lunchtime and the streets would be full again.
At Easter, a traffic expert explained to SWR3 how traffic jams can best be avoided:
Lane changes, bypasses etc.
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Gotthard Tunnel completely closed after accident
Shortly before the Pentecost weekend, there are problems with the most important connection to Italy: The Gotthard Tunnel was closed in both directions on Friday afternoon after an accident. As Swiss television reported, cars had previously piled up for over twelve kilometers in front of the north portal between Erstfeld and Göschenen. According to the Touring Club Switzerland (TCS), this means a waiting time of up to two hours. The Göschenen and Wassen motorway entrances were closed to prevent even greater traffic chaos. Because of all the snow, the Gotthard Pass road cannot yet be used as an alternative route.
Traffic chaos before the Pentecost weekend
Gotthard Tunnel reopened after being completely closed due to an accident
The Gotthard Tunnel has been reopened after a complete closure near Erstfeld and Göschenen in the Swiss canton of Uri. Increased traffic volumes are expected at Pentecost, the alternative pass road will remain closed.
Also at airports and train stations: a lot of activity due to the first big wave of travel of the year
Anyone traveling by plane or train must expect larger crowds at train platforms and security checkpoints. With the start of the Whitsun holidays, Stuttgart Airport is expecting the first big wave of travel of the year. More than 4,300 flights are planned for the two holiday weeks after Pentecost. And here too, Friday is the busiest day with more than planned 270 take-offs and landings.
The most connections (160) are for Antalya in Turkey. The Balearic island of Mallorca came in second place (150 connections). Many people are probably already familiar with the airport’s recommendations for travelers: you should be there two hours before departure. “Especially during busy times in the early morning and afternoon, more time is to be expected at security checks,” the airport said.
Lots of rain – but no major damage so far
Heavy rain: Severe weather warning still applies to the northern half of BW
Despite heavy rain at times, there has apparently been no weather chaos in Baden-Württemberg so far. Late on Friday evening, the German Weather Service lifted its severe weather warning for the south of the country.
Weather forecast: Cloudy start to the Whitsun holidays
The weather at the start of the holiday is likely to be rather mixed – the German Weather Service (DWD) is predicting heavy rain and a risk of storms until Saturday. A depression could locally bring up to 100 liters of rain. This could also impact traffic.
Afterwards the situation will calm down. On Whit Monday the prospects are significantly better: “It looks friendly, we expect more high pressure influence with sunshine,” said a meteorologist from the DWD.