Quick Check: Key Traffic Information
- Location: A4, Jagdbergtunnel near Jena (Direction Frankfurt a.M.)
- Incident: Defective semi-trailer
- Restriction: Right and middle lanes closed
- Forecast: Recovery expected to take one hour, risk of traffic jams
Jena (11.02.2026) – Motorists on the Autobahn 4 around Jena must bring patience this Wednesday afternoon. A technical defect on a heavy-duty transport vehicle is causing significant traffic disruptions in the Jagdbergtunnel bottleneck heading west.
Forced Stop on the A4: Two Lanes Closed
As the highway police department reports, an incident occurred this Wednesday in the Jagdbergtunnel, the most important traffic artery south of Jena. A semi-trailer has broken down on the carriageway towards Frankfurt am Main. The vehicle is positioned in a way that obstructs traffic on the right lane.
To ensure safety for following road users as well as for the arriving recovery teams, the police were forced to close not only the affected right lane but also the middle lane. Traffic is currently being guided past the danger zone in a single lane. This measure is standard in tunnel structures to create enough space for the towing service’s maneuvering and to protect emergency personnel.
Jagdbergtunnel Bottleneck: A Sensitive Traffic System
The Jagdbergtunnel is considered one of the most modern but also the busiest structures on the A4 in Thüringen. Particularly in the afternoon hours, when commuter traffic mixes with regional transit traffic, reductions in lane capacity lead to traffic jams within minutes. Since only one of three lanes is currently available, slow-moving traffic and congestion are expected both within the tunnel itself and in the approach area from the direction of Hermsdorfer Kreuz.
Breakdowns of heavy-duty traffic in tunnel tubes always present highway maintenance departments and recovery companies with logistical challenges. Unlike on an open road, there is no hard shoulder where the vehicle can be safely maneuvered. The tight spatial conditions in the tunnel therefore require extensive closures.
Outlook and Behavior Tips
According to current official estimates, recovery and repair work is expected to last approximately one hour (as of 14:54). However, should the technical repair on-site prove more complex or if a heavy towing vehicle is required, the reopening of the lanes could be delayed.
Road users are asked to pass the area with increased attention and to apply the zipper merge system only immediately before the closure to maintain traffic flow as much as possible. In the event of traffic congestion, immediately form an emergency corridor for police and recovery vehicles.
We wish all those affected patience and a safe journey.