Construction Ahead: 470 Million Euros Invested in Road Improvements and Bike Paths across Schleswig-Holstein
Federal and State Governments commit 470 million towards road improvements and cycling infrastructure development - Federal authorities and local governments pumped 470 million into highway improvements and bicycle lanes.
Stuck in traffic? Get ready for construction sites galore! Federal and state authorities are pouring 470 million euros into around 200 road and bike path improvement projects this year across Schleswig-Holstein. Transport Minister Claus Ruhe Madsen (CDU) has warned motorists to brace for construction sites and extended travel times.
The federal government is allocating a hefty 220 million euros to revitalize bridges and highways 1 and 23. Despite the significant investment, Carsten Butenschoen, head of the federal highway authority's branch office, hints at somewhat fewer construction projects in 2025 compared to the previous year.
Aging Infrastructure
Butenschoen acknowledged the state of Schleswig-Holstein's highways isn't particularly dire compared to the rest of Germany, but it's far from ideal. Consequently, extensive refurbishments are on the horizon, as some highways, like the A7, were built as early as the 1972 Munich Olympics.
One of the projects slated for 2025 includes the renovation of a bridge at the Bargteheide highway junction and the roadways on the A23 between Heide-West and -South and between Pinneberg-Nord and Halstenbek. The four-lane expansion of federal road 404 from Klein Barkau to Stolpe in the Plön district is set to be completed by mid-2026.
Rader High Bridge and Fehmarn Expansion
Progress is being made on the new Rader High Bridge on the A7 over the North-Ostsee Canal, with 651 of 1,490 bridge meters already completed. Scheduled for completion in 2026, the new bridge will take the place of the old bridge once it is demolished, with traffic rerouted over the first section until the second is finished. On Fehmarn, the four-lane expansion of federal road 207 is ongoing.
Additional projects on the horizon include the expansion of the A23 between Tornesch and the Nordwest motorway junction, as well as the expansion of the B404 south of Kiel. The B404's expansion could begin as early as 2028, plans indicate.
State Investment Boost
Meanwhile, the state road construction and traffic authority (LBV) is expected to invest an additional 25 million euros in road improvements this year, adding up to a whopping 250 million euros in total. Almost 250 kilometers of roads across the state will be renovated. In addition, nearly 38 million euros will go towards expanding and repairing bike paths. Around 15.7 million euros will be earmarked for bike path funding for cities and communities.
LBV director Frank Quirmbach shared that the state has at least 140 construction projects planned, subject to federal budgeting considerations. These projects include the bypass of Geesthacht on the B5, as well as the three-lane expansion of the B5 between Tönning and Rothenspieker in the North Friesland district.
So buckle up and prepare for delays, as Schleswig-Holstein undergoes a major infrastructure overhaul!
Community policy is likely to incorporate the investment of 25 million euros into road improvements this year, as part of the state road construction and traffic authority's (LBV) 250 million euro total investment in 2025. Vocational training opportunities may be provided for workers involved in these road improvement projects.
Despite the extensive roadworks in progress, it's been suggested that motorists may encounter fewer construction sites in 2025 compared to the previous year due to a hefty federal investment of 220 million euros into bridge and highway revitalization. The four-lane expansion of federal road 404, part of these road improvement projects, is scheduled to be completed by mid-2026.
Madsen and LBV director Quirmbach have both highlighted the need for vocational training to prepare workers for the ongoing road improvement projects across Schleswig-Holstein, with more than 140 construction projects planned for 2025 by the LBV.
