Traffic Circle So Far Without Concrete Result

Traffic chaos on the A7 autobahn has dragged on for days, leaving drivers stranded and local authorities scrambling for solutions. Last Friday alone, an accident forced the closure of southbound lanes for 11 hours, causing major delays. Now, officials are meeting to tackle both immediate and long-term challenges on one of Germany’s busiest motorways.

Two weeks ago, a hazardous goods transporter caught fire near Bad Fallingbostel, prompting emergency action. To avoid a kilometres-long tailback, authorities spontaneously opened the Platzrandstraße as a temporary detour. The incident highlighted the urgent need for better traffic management.

Local leaders and police gathered in a roundtable discussion to address ongoing and future issues. In Soltau, the focus remains on heavy goods vehicles that clog narrow side roads while trying to bypass jams. Many lorries end up stuck at low underpasses, worsening congestion.

Broader solutions are now under review, including rerouting traffic via the A1 and A27. Responsibility for these measures lies with the federal Autobahn GmbH. Meanwhile, a study of Soltau’s municipal roads is underway, with results expected by the end of October. The aim is to introduce targeted fixes for the worst bottlenecks.

Bad Fallingbostel’s mayor, Rolf Schneider, stressed the importance of working closely with regulatory bodies and police to ease congestion. He also warned against unfairly blaming the military, as the area between Munster and Bad Fallingbostel will soon serve as a key NATO training hub for eastern operations. However, any major relief, such as the A7’s expansion to three lanes, won’t start until 2028 or 2029.

The Ostallgäu District Office clarified roles in managing traffic crises. While it coordinates measures like through-traffic bans, the police handle enforcement and diversions, particularly near Nesselwang (AS 138) and the Füssen border tunnel.

For now, drivers on the A7 must brace for continued disruptions as authorities test short-term fixes and await long-term upgrades. The study in Soltau and potential rerouting plans offer some hope, but significant changes remain years away. Police and local officials will keep coordinating to minimise delays where possible.