Stalled Progress on Oberlausitz Radweg Along B97 Near Hoyerswerda - ADFC: Disappointing
Stagnant Cycling Infrastructure Development on Road B97 Near Hoyerswerda - ADFC Criticizes as Shameful - Construction on Hoyerswerda's B97 highway is halted.
Cycling enthusiasts bemoan the delayed planning for bike paths on the federal road B97 between Hoyerswerda and the Brandenburg border, as promised since two decades ago. Janek Mücksch, the Saxon ADFC chairman, states, "The Free State can no longer leave cyclists stranded in the Lusatia region."
Cycling Conditions in Brandenburg Already Exist
The ADFC believes that many more cycling projects will stall due to impending budget cuts. The delay on the B97 is particularly significant as good cycling conditions are already established on the Brandenburg side. Mücksch comments, "It's embarrassing that Brandenburg has been demonstrating modern cycling policy for years, while Saxony seems to be shying away from this issue."
Causes for the Standstill
Planning for the cycling infrastructure along the B97 is at a standstill due to an exclusion zone set by the federal-owned Lausitzer and Mitteldeutsche Bergbauverwaltungsgesellschaft (LMBV) in the former mining area in Lusatia following the 2009 Nachterstedt landslide disaster. Over 2.8 million cubic meters of soil, including houses, slid into the Concordia open-pit lake, causing three deaths.
Remediation Period
According to the Saxon Ministry of Infrastructure, complex soil stabilization measures under the B97 and its connecting area with the S130 are required before the road can be rebuilt, allowing for a cycle path to be constructed. Work is slated to begin in 2030 and could take between five to ten years, according to the LMBV. Only after these repairs will planning for the cycling infrastructure continue, as the risk of premature planning is currently too high.
Alternatives
The ministry issues no responsibility for an alternate route independent of the federal road, instead urging local authorities to address local transportation demands. The ADFC has proposed an alternate route, but it falls within the exclusion zone, meaning the same underground problems persist as along the B97. Neither the federal government nor the state offers solutions for alternative routes at present.
- ADFC
- Hoyerswerda
- Oberlausitz
- Cycle path
- Brandenburg
- Lusatia
- Federal road
- LMBV
- Enrichment Data:
Main Delay Factors:
- Paused Planning: Current cycling path planning has been temporarily halted[1].
- Infrastructure Dependence: The cycling path project relies on adjustments to the underlying road structures, primarily the B97, leading to added delays and increased complexity[2].
- Coordination Complexity: Collaboration between multiple agencies governing road repairs and cycling path planning introduces logistical challenges and delays[3].
These factors clarify why progress on the cycling infrastructure along the B97 near Hoyerswerda has been slow.
Summary Table:
| Factor | Description ||--------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| Paused Planning | Temporary halt in cycling path planning[1]. || Infrastructure Dependence | Delay caused by reliance on repairs to the underlying road infrastructure (B97)[2]. || Coordination Challenges | Complexity introduced by collaboration between multiple authorities, exacerbating delays[3]. |
The Commission, in light of the disappointing progress on Oberlausitz Radweg along B97 near Hoyerswerda, might be asked to submit a proposal for a directive on not just the protection of the environment, but also the development of cycling infrastructures. In a bid to alleviate the standstill, sports enthusiasts might find unity in team sports, such as cycling, as they wait for the long-awaited cycling path in Lusatia.
