A40 highway closed for a week to install noise-reducing asphalt

Germany's A40 highway, a vital artery in the Ruhr region, is set for another significant closure. Starting Thursday evening, a nearly week-long shutdown will allow for the installation of "whisper asphalt," a noise-reducing pavement, between Mülheim and Essen. This marks the second closure of this heavily trafficked route within a few weeks, following a ten-day closure just last month for comparable construction work.

The federal highway company has announced detours, which will largely bypass the closed section. However, one of the official routes for eastbound traffic from Duisburg will guide vehicles directly through the city centers of Mülheim and Essen. Authorities are emphasizing the importance of adhering to the clearly marked detours, warning against using navigation systems to find alternative routes, which could disrupt traffic flow and create further congestion.

“

Detours are signposted and run over a wide area.

This 5.8-kilometer stretch of the A40, which sees between 80,000 and 90,000 vehicles daily, is slated for a six-lane expansion. This extensive project will involve rebuilding 16 bridges in the densely populated area and is expected to continue for many years. The current asphalt replacement covers an area of 110,000 square meters, equivalent to about 15 football fields. The new open-pore asphalt is designed to significantly dampen tire noise, improving the quality of life for residents near the highway.

“

Drivers should strictly follow the signposted detour.