Impact on Traffic: IHK Reports Border Controls Cause Congestion in Frankfurt/Slubice

Wed 4th Jun, 2025

Border controls between Germany and Poland have been causing significant traffic congestion, adversely affecting the daily lives of residents in Frankfurt (Oder) and its Polish neighbor, Slubice. The Industrial and Commercial Chamber (IHK) has raised concerns about the detrimental impact of these controls on the close cross-border relationships.

According to Guido Noack, a transportation expert from the IHK, the uncertainty surrounding the duration of these controls is particularly troubling. He emphasized that the region is experiencing paralysis due to the ongoing delays. Since the implementation of border checks in Brandenburg in late 2023, aimed at curbing illegal migration, the situation has worsened. Following his appointment, Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt instructed the Federal Police to intensify these checks and to deny entry to asylum seekers at the border.

Local officials, including Claus Junghanns, the Mayor of Frankfurt (Oder), have been actively engaging with federal authorities to expedite a resolution to the traffic issues. Discussions are ongoing regarding potential adjustments to the control procedures to mitigate the adverse effects on traffic flow.

The Autobahn A12, a heavily trafficked route, has become a focal point for these border controls. The checks have led to substantial traffic jams, forcing drivers to seek alternative routes, which has resulted in Slubice experiencing severe congestion. Noack noted that the situation is particularly critical on Sunday evenings, Mondays, and Tuesdays.

Drivers now face delays of two hours or more due to the bottlenecks caused by the border checks. The IHK has reported numerous complaints from Polish residents regarding the restrictions, which have significantly disrupted life in the twin cities of Frankfurt and Slubice. The A12 corridor, which connects Berlin and Frankfurt (Oder), sees approximately four million trucks annually, further exacerbating the traffic challenges.

In a response to concerns over traffic congestion, the Federal Police stated that they continuously evaluate effective measures to minimize disruptions. However, they attributed the primary causes of traffic jams to factors such as the Sunday driving ban for trucks, ongoing construction projects, and an infrastructure that does not align with the actual volume of traffic.

Despite a recent court ruling declaring certain border rejection practices unlawful, Dobrindt remains committed to a stringent migration policy. The Berlin Administrative Court concluded that the rejection of three Somali individuals at a border checkpoint in Frankfurt (Oder) was illegal, as it lacked clarity regarding which EU country was responsible for their asylum applications.


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