Rush hour disruptionLarge pothole closes lane on A3, causes 5km tailback

A large pothole forced the emergency closure of the right-hand lane on the A3 motorway towards France during Wednesday’s evening rush hour, the Motorway Traffic Control and Information Service (CITA) has reported.

The lane was closed near Livange, causing significant disruption. By approximately 4.45pm, traffic delays stretched back five kilometres. CITA stated the damage to the road surface required immediate repair by the National Roads Authority.

Potholes typically form due to repeated freezing and thawing. “Water seeps under the asphalt during a thaw. A subsequent freeze turns that water to ice, which expands and lifts the pavement. When it thaws again, the ice melts and drains away, leaving a cavity that collapses under traffic,” CITA explained.

These road defects pose a safety hazard and can cause expensive damage to tyres, rims, and vehicle suspension, increasing the risk of accidents.

CITA’s advice

• Avoid braking directly over a pothole. A locked wheel sustains more damage. If impact is unavoidable, release the brake pedal just before hitting it.
• Maintain correct tyre pressure. Over-inflated tyres are prone to structural damage, while under-inflated tyres increase the risk of wheel damage.
• Check wheel alignment after a major impact. Misalignment causes rapid and uneven tyre wear.
• Report significant potholes to the National Roads Authority via email at direction@pch.etat.lu.