Due to border restrictions, A12 receives a fresh squad.
In the heart of Europe, the A12 motorway connecting Berlin and Frankfurt (Oder) has become a focal point of concern due to border control congestion. The Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Frankfurt (Oder) has expressed apprehensions about the burden of border checks, as commuters also complain about long waiting times.
These border controls have led to traffic disruptions in Poland, with approximately four million trucks using the A12 annually. In May, Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) ordered more intensive border controls, a measure that is scheduled to continue beyond September. Poland's controls, initially scheduled to end on August 5, have been extended to October 4.
However, specific traffic management measures on the A12 in Frankfurt (Oder) related to border control congestion remain unclear. Typical measures to address such congestion include the extension of lanes or dedicated lanes for trucks, digital border control systems, harmonised border inspections between German and Polish authorities, real-time traffic monitoring, dynamic traffic signal control or diversion routes, and information systems to inform drivers about delays and alternative routes.
It is essential to refer to official announcements by German federal or Brandenburg state transport ministries or border police for precise and up-to-date plans currently in place as of August 2025, especially any new measures by transport or border control authorities on the A12 near Frankfurt (Oder).
Interestingly, Germany has been conducting random checks at the border with Poland since October 2023 to stop irregular migration. Poland reacted to Germany's controls with its own controls in July. For detailed recent information, it is recommended to check the official websites of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI), the Brandenburg state government, or the federal police responsible for border security.
The financial burden of border checks on the automotive industry, particularly for businesses in Frankfurt (Oder), is a growing concern due to the extended controls on the A12 motorway, which has become a significant traffic hub. The increased border control measures have worsened the congestion in Poland's transportation sector, given the annual traffic of about four million trucks on the A12. With federal authorities considering various solutions such as digital border control systems, harmonized inspections, and traffic management measures, a clear plan for addressing congestion on the A12 near Frankfurt (Oder) remains to be announced.
