Hesse's Winter Road Teams Battle Extreme Weather to Keep Roads Clear

From 6 AM to midnight—or longer—Hesse's road workers race against freezing forecasts. Yet even their best efforts can't always defeat nature's fury.

, and Administrator

2026 February 6 . 9:14 PM

1 min read

The image shows an open book with a map of Germany on it, set against a black background. The map... — The image shows an open book with a map of Germany on it, set against a black background. The map is detailed and shows the various roads and highways of the country.

Winter service in Hesse sets priorities for snow and ice - Hesse's Winter Road Teams Battle Extreme Weather to Keep Roads Clear

Winter road maintenance in Hesse relies on careful planning and rapid response. The state's teams work long hours to keep thousands of kilometres of roads passable. Yet even with extensive resources, extreme weather can disrupt operations and limit travel conditions.

Hessen Mobil, the state's road authority, oversees winter services across 15,200 kilometres of roads. Its fleet includes 390 gritting and snowplow vehicles, supported by around 1,000 staff. Operations typically run from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, though severe weather can extend shifts to 24 hours.

The 46 maintenance depots receive precise weather forecasts from the German Weather Service (DWD). Each depot plans its own routes and deployments based on local conditions. Priority is given to federal, state, and district roads, as well as key routes like school paths and hospital access roads.

Preemptive gritting helps prevent ice buildup where possible. However, in extreme cold or heavy snowfall, the state cannot ensure summer-like driving on every road. Jackknifed trucks or equipment failures can also halt operations, delaying maintenance.

While Hessen Mobil handles 3,000 kilometres of federal roads (Bundesstraßen), the federal Autobahn GmbH manages autobahns separately. No specific details on autobahn winter services or critical sections have been disclosed.

Hesse's winter road teams use tailored forecasts and flexible scheduling to maintain safety. Despite their efforts, extreme conditions may still restrict travel on some routes. The state's focus remains on high-traffic areas and essential connections during harsh weather.