Overview

• The number of autobahn construction sites in North Rhine-Westphalia reached an all-time high of 743 in May 2025, up from 685 in November 2024 and 601 in May 2024.
• NRW, which accounts for only 17% of Germany’s autobahn network, now hosts two-thirds of the nation’s 1,205 construction sites, placing a disproportionate burden on the region.
• Traffic congestion has surged, with April 2025 seeing a 26% increase in total jam length and a 20% rise in jam duration compared to the same month in 2024.
• ADAC and expert Roman Suthold emphasize that the repairs are essential to modernize aging infrastructure, particularly dilapidated bridges, but stress the need for better project coordination and faster approvals.
• Commuters are advised to adopt flexible schedules, avoid peak travel times, use public transport, or form carpooling arrangements to navigate the worsening traffic conditions.