Major section of A1 motorway closes for nearly two weeks in northern France

Motorists travelling through northern France during the August holiday period are set to face major disruption as a section of the A1 motorway is closed for roadworks until August 14. 

The closure affects the Paris-to-Lille carriageway between the A1/A21 junction at Dourges and Junction 18 at Carvin-Libercourt. Traffic in the opposite direction, from Lille towards Paris, is not affected. 

The works began on August 2 and are taking place 24 hours a day until August 14. The works are not being carried out because there is a problem with the road but are instead part of a renovation programme for one of Europe's busiest motorways. 

France's Direction Interdépartementale des Routes Nord (DIR Nord), which is overseeing the project, said the €5 million scheme is a preventive resurfacing operation designed to avoid more extensive repairs in future. 

"L'A1 is today the busiest motorway in Europe," DIR Nord said. "Despite its apparently good condition, the exceptional volume of traffic on this route justifies preventive intervention to avoid heavier works that would have an unacceptable impact on traffic." 

However, the closure comes amid France’s busiest period for summer travel and is likely to affect motorists driving from Paris towards Lille, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

If you are travelling through A1 or using diversion routes during that period, you can check live congestion updates on Bison Futé or review the forecast severity in advance before setting off.

Diversions in place 

Motorists travelling during that time towards the French coast or Belgium are advised to follow the A26 towards Calais before joining the A16 towards Dunkirk. 

Those travelling onwards to Belgium or the Netherlands are encouraged to use the A2 instead.

Drivers heading to Lille should leave the A1 and follow the A26 and/or the A21 towards Lens before continuing via the RN47 and RN41 into the Lille metropolitan area. 

Several junctions are closed for the duration of the works, including Junctions 17, 17.1 and 18, as well as the A21 link onto the A1 towards Lille. However, drivers can still rejoin the A1 beyond the work zone at Junction 18 (Carvin-Libercourt), where the entry slip road remains open.

Separate diversion routes have also been put in place for local traffic and heavy goods vehicles travelling through the area. 

Later this year, in November, the Paris-province direction of the A13 motorway is also set to close for nine months.