Crowded Streets Kick Off Ascension Weekend Celebrations - Throngs of people filling city streets to kick off Ascension weekend celebrations
Heavy Traffic Anticipated During Ascension Weekend in North Rhine-Westphalia
The start of the Ascension weekend will likely see heavy traffic congestion, particularly around Cologne and the Ruhr area, due to the holiday and subsequent travel.
According to the traffic club ADAC, Wednesday afternoon is likely to be one of the busiest days of the year, with numerous construction sites in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) increasing the risk of traffic jams. Despite the lack of official school holidays in NRW on Friday, many students have a movable holiday, leading to increased travel. In contrast, the bridge day is a public holiday in many other federal states, resulting in more families setting off on a short trip.
The around 700 current construction sites on NRW highways present potential issues. 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 congestion. He predicts that the highways around Cologne and in the Ruhr area will be heavily congested due to the high volume of traffic and the numerous construction sites.
The traffic club expects the heaviest traffic on Wednesday between 13:00 and 19:00, as commuters and vacationers coincide on the roads. Those who set off in the evening or on Thursday are likely to reach their destinations faster and more relaxed.
On Sunday afternoon, the return traffic will once again result in full roads. While there are no commuters on the road at that time, Suthold expects fewer traffic jams than at the start of the long weekend.
During Ascension Day celebrations, the police increase their presence at known hotspots to maintain safety and control traffic flow. To avoid traffic jams and ensure smoother travel during this period, consider traveling outside peak hours, using alternative routes, public transportation, and staying updated on police advice and road conditions. Strategies such as avoiding event hotspots, driving sober, and checking updated local transport regulations can further help prevent delays and traffic problems.
In an effort to reduce potential traffic congestion during Ascension weekend, adhering to community policy such as avoiding event hotspots, driving sober, and checking updated local transport regulations could be beneficial. Meanwhile, for those aiming to improve their skills and adapt to a different lifestyle, vocational training in home-and-garden, travel, or other sectors might be found advantageous to pursue during this time, ensuring a more relaxed journey in the future.
