From 2 to 8 July, the D8 motorway will be completely closed between kilometre markers 82.7 and 87 – covering the Libouchec and Panenská tunnels. The works are scheduled to begin tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. In addition, roadworks will start at midnight between Tuesday and Wednesday (2 July) on the section between Trmice and the Libouchec tunnel (km 80–82.7), causing further disruption.
Mountain detours for freight traffic
Due to the closure, drivers will be diverted onto winding second-class roads through the Ore Mountains.
- For traffic heading towards Germany, heavy goods vehicles will be rerouted from Knínice via Varvažov and Telnice, then through mountainous terrain to Petrovice, where they can rejoin the motorway.
- For traffic coming from Germany, vehicles will exit the D8 at Petrovice, travel through Tisá to Libouchec, then follow the I/13 to Knínice to rejoin the motorway.
Freight traffic will be organised as one-way on these routes, while other vehicles will be able to use diversions in both directions.
Police urge drivers to avoid the area
During the previous closure in April, around 95% of foreign drivers chose to use alternative routes. Czech hauliers used various local roads. According to Jiří Ušák, head of the traffic department of the national police in the Ústí nad Labem Region, the resulting traffic redistribution helped ease congestion significantly.
“Operators that do not need to pass through this region should use alternative corridors further north – such as the D5 or D7 motorways via Postoloprty and Hora Svatého Šebestiána, or the I/9 road via Mělník, Česká Lípa and Jiříkov,” said Ušák.
Based on lessons from the previous closure, Czech police have introduced new traffic management measures. Additional signage will be installed, and transport operators will receive clearer guidance on alternative routes. The aim is to reduce traffic chaos on local roads.
Cínovec border crossing open for light vehicles
Vehicles with a maximum permitted weight of up to 7.5 tonnes will be able to bypass the closed motorway section via the Cínovec border crossing, located in the Ore Mountains on the Czech–German border. It connects the Czech village of Cínovec with the German town of Altenberg (Zinnwald-Georgenfeld), approximately 100 kilometres northwest of Prague. As during the previous closure in April, this crossing will be temporarily open to allow through traffic. Redirection of heavy goods vehicles via Cínovec will only be considered in the event of major disruption on the main detour routes.
As during the previous closure in April, this crossing will be temporarily open to allow through traffic. Redirection of heavy goods vehicles via Cínovec will only be considered in case of major disruption on the main detour routes.
