Chemnitz direction opens: A milestone for commuters!

Chemnitz direction opens: A milestone for commuters!

On July 19, 2025, the time has finally come: the Chemnitz-bound lane between the Leipzig-Süd junction and the Zwenkau junction will be opened. After a long construction phase in which traffic was temporarily routed along the Leipzig-bound lane, drivers can now use two of three lanes in the direction of Chemnitz. The third lane remains closed for the time being due to ongoing work in the median.

Last week, the final layer of open-pored asphalt was applied to the Chemnitz roadway, which provides noise-reducing properties. This is a step in the right direction, as the Zwenkau junction will now also be fully connected to the A72. Particularly practical: You can now turn from the A72 onto the B2 towards Leipzig.

A project with a long history

The topic of the A72 motorway runs like a common thread through Saxon transport policy. Planning for this transport route began in 1992 and construction began in 2003. The original aim was to complete the route by the 2006 World Cup. Now the project, which has spanned two decades, is nearing completion. According to the latest information, the final closure of the gap to the A38 will be completed by 2026, although this will initially remain a temporary measure until the final construction work has been completed.

As also reported, the final section of the A72 extension is now underway with construction sites that will remain in place until 2028. The planned continuity between the Vogtland and Leipzig not only brings relief for the cities affected, but also improved connections for the region as a whole. The date for the final closure of the gap between Zwenkau and the A38 on July 15, 2023 marks further important progress, even if drivers on this section can initially only drive at a speed limit of 60 km/h and in one lane.

What's next?

The final work is still in full swing: In the next two years, three bridge structures will have to be rebuilt, and the former S72 between Böhlen and Großdeuben will be dismantled. In order to further optimize noise reduction, a comprehensive noise protection concept will also be implemented over the next few years. This includes the use of whisper asphalt and will be fully completed by 2028.

The total costs for this transport route are still unclear, but an estimate of around 237 million euros was last made in 2017. The A72 project is not just a technical project, but also a significant step in the development of transport infrastructure in Saxony, which should soon offer passengers a smoother and less noisy route between Leipzig and Chemnitz.

There remains a lot of hope and also a little impatience for the future: the full opening of the Chemnitz carriageway is planned for 2026, and many are eagerly awaiting the full completion of this important traffic axis.

For more information you can visit the reports leipziger-zeitung.de and tag24.de read up.