Alsfeld is roaring!Alsfeld and the Autobahn

Plans for motorway construction in Germany existed long before the 1930s. The “autobahn idea” is said to have been developed by the Mayor of Frankfurt, Dr. Landmann. On his initiative, an association for the promotion of the Hamburg – Frankfurt – Basel motor road was founded in 1926. By 1930, the execution planning for the first section between Frankfurt and Darmstadt had already been completed. As is well known, the National Socialist government took over the project from 1933 onwards. Hitler performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the “Führer’s Road” on the banks of the Main in Frankfurt on September 23, 1933. Just two years later, the Darmstadt – Frankfurt section was finished.

However, the northward continuation via Alsfeld was not initially planned; the route was originally intended to pass through Marburg. For years, citizens of Alsfeld campaigned for a change in planning. After numerous discussions of different variants, the decision was made in April 1935 to route the motorway south of Alsfeld. In December 1938, the section between Gießen and Alsfeld, including the “East” junction, was completed.

The motorway maintenance depot was established the following year, but the second junction (“Alsfeld-West”) was not built until 1958. (NH)