On Thursday morning, it took me 30 minutes longer than usual to arrive at the editorial office of La Meuse in Verviers due to a construction site on the E40/A3 motorway between Battice and Welkenraedt towards Aachen. The construction site will cause traffic problems for the next two months. Despite the police’s advise to tolerate the delays, many motorists are trying to find alternate routes. However, the secondary network by the nationals is congested, causing further problems. The objective of the construction is to resurface the motorway between Battice and Welkenraedt and renovate the upper road surfaces of the Battice interchange (E40-E42). The works will be in phases and last for two months, ending in mid-June.
30 minutes. This is the time I spent in traffic this Thursday morning, leaving Liège to arrive at the editorial office of La Meuse, in Verviers. That’s double the usual time. The author of this misdeed: the construction site which began this Wednesday, April 12 on the E40/A3 motorway between Battice and Welkenraedt towards Aachen. But you will have to be patient, because the construction site – and the many traffic problems that go with it – will have to last two months.
Like many motorists, it’s been two days since I arrived late at my place of work. Leaving Liège and arriving in Verviers, it’s starting to be an obstacle course! I first tried to leave a little early, hoping to solve the problem. But the corks again won the battle.
Another solution available to us, unfortunate motorists: look for an alternate route, and circumvent the major slowdowns as much as possible. But information taken from the police, taking another route is not necessarily a good idea…
Take his troubles patiently
“People have to take their troubles patiently,” commented the police in the Herve area.
“Some take an alternative route, but the small roads and especially the national ones are crowded, they are not designed to absorb so many vehicles. Traffic is slow, rush hours are always problematic. »
“Even the secondary network by the nationals is blocked. Whether it is National 3 or near the Barchon station, ”notes the Battice road police.
Raymond Lausberg, Battice police inspector, confirms: “National 3 is already very busy in general, but if we add a hundred vehicles trying to get around the traffic jams, it becomes complicated. »
On social networks, other motorists are already expressing their fed up. “This highway is already hell,” writes one. “A real nightmare the journeys”, exclaims another. “Between Liège center and the motorway, I’m having a blast! »
In view of the situation, there is therefore no miracle, and unfortunately not much to do. It is better to anticipate traffic jams and leave much earlier than expected depending on your destination and avoid peak hours as much as possible. And above all: be patient.
A project in several phases
As a reminder, the objective of this project is to resurface the motorway between Battice and Welkenraedt, over 6 km towards Germany. The upper layers of the road surfaces of the Battice interchange (E40-E42) must also be renovated.
The works will be divided into several phases in order to limit the impact on traffic, and will last two months. A month of work is planned between Battice and Thimister, towards Aachen. Traffic will be maintained on a single lane.
Another month is planned to carry out work between Thimister and Welkenraedt towards Aachen. Traffic will also be maintained on one lane, switched in the opposite direction on the lanes usually welcoming vehicles heading towards Liège. Finally, some ramps of the Battice interchange will have to be closed for 3 weekends.
Everything should be finished by mid-June. In short, enjoy the holidays…
In conclusion, the construction site on the E40/A3 motorway between Battice and Welkenraedt towards Aachen is causing major traffic problems for motorists. With the expected two-month duration of the works, it seems that being patient and avoiding peak hours are the only solutions available. Despite the inconveniences caused by the construction, the project is necessary to resurface the motorway and renovate the road surfaces. The works will be divided into phases to limit the impact on traffic and should be finished by mid-June. Until then, drivers will need to plan ahead and take alternate routes wisely.