Ghost motorway A4: A dagger in the heart of NRW and the solar revolution!

Ghost motorway A4: A dagger in the heart of NRW and the solar revolution!

In North Rhine-Westphalia, a 17-kilometer part of the A4 motorway extends, which is known as the "ghost highway". The A4 is the fourth longest motorway in Germany and runs from the Dutch border near Aachen to the A45 near Olpe and Krombach. The old section between Düren and Kreuz Kerpen was planned in the 1990s for a reconstruction after the route could no longer meet the increased traffic volume.

The first construction work for the new A4 route began in 2008 and were completed in 2014. During this time, the Kerpen-Buir junction was completely removed. The old section had to give way to the extension of the Hambach open -cast mine and has been unused since 2014. Today this disused part has developed into a "Lost Place" on which no more vehicles run. Visible remains such as guardrails and bridges are reminiscent of the once busy street.

Environment and energy generation

The coal mining in the vicinity of the highway has shaped the area considerably. A section of the former A4 route is located in the approved mining field of the Hambach open-cast mine, and RWE plans to continue this activity by 2030. Parts of the former motorway line were converted into a "solar carway": a section with 2,800 solar modules was equipped in Niederzier, which provide sufficient electricity for 210 households. This is an example of the increasing trend towards using solar energy in the region.

The relocation of the highway was not only carried out for traffic technology, but also for environmental reasons. The region is preparing for a comprehensive structural change, in particular with the establishment of Neuland Hambach GmbH by six neighboring municipalities that represent the interests of the citizens and want to promote the transition to renewable energies. A planned 42 -kilometer cycle path called "Hambach Loop" should also help to make the region more attractive for residents and tourists.

The coal phase -out

Coal mining is directly related to the German coal phase -out, which is regulated in the coal -establishment termination law (KVBG). According to information from the Federal Network Agency he provides for a gradual decommissioning from both brown and hard coal systems. From 2027, the conversion of coal is no longer regulated by tenders, but by legal reductions. This can lead to further legal restrictions on coal consumption that could also affect Hambach opencast mine.

While some sections of the A4 are already being dismantled, the Hambachsee is being planned, which is to be flooded with water from the Rhine after coal mining to create a new bay. A total of 4.3 trillion liters of water are required to reach the desired water level of 65 meters. The Hambachsee is expected to invite you to swim from 2040.

Overall, it can be seen that the region around the A4 and the Hambach opencast mine is not only an example of the challenges of coal mining, but also for change towards renewable energies and sustainable development. The transformation of this "ghost highway" into a place of energy generation and tourism could be a mission statement for similar projects throughout Germany.