Fernwald is fighting: L 3129 - Renovation of the danger zone is urgent!

Fernwald is fighting: L 3129 - Renovation of the danger zone is urgent!

In the municipality of Fernwald, the L 3129 road has been heavily criticized. At the last meeting of the municipal council, Mayor Manuel Rosenke drew attention to the questionable condition of the street, which is particularly noticeable at the old town hall square in Steinbach. Massive road damage, which can be observed in both Albach and Steinbach, not only endangers all road users, but also causes increased noise, which significantly affects the quality of life of residents. [giessener- Allgemeine.de](https://www.giessener- Allgemeine.de/kreis-giessen/fernwald-ort848762/gemeinde-fernwald-ford-sanierung-der-landstrasse-3129-94028282.html) reports that the municipality has been trying to improve the situation for several years. Despite numerous inspections, technical tests and correspondence with the Hesse transport authority Hessen Mobil, the condition of the road remains poor.

The challenges are diverse: The dangers posed by road damage not only affect drivers, but also pedestrians, cyclists and people with particularly limited mobility. Visibility problems when crossing and noise pollution should also not be underestimated. However, the Gießen district did not produce a positive decision from a cross-party proposal to introduce a speed limit of 30 km/h, with the exception of securing the route to school. Since the district has stated that no particular accident problems were identified and that the road layout itself has a speed-reducing effect, a solution currently appears to be far away.

The answer from Hessen Mobil

The feedback from Hessen Mobil was just as sobering. According to their statements, L 3129 is currently not included in the ongoing renovation programs and a fundamental renovation remains “not foreseeable”. Regular inspections by the road maintenance department ensure that dangerous areas of damage are repaired, but these measures are not enough to improve the overall condition of the road. Mayor Rosenke has again asked Hessen Mobil whether funds from the downgrading of another section of road could be used for renovation, but an answer is still pending.

At the meeting, Rosenke criticized the country's tendency to increasingly withdraw from its responsibilities. This has prompted the municipality to demand a binding commitment to include the Steinbach and Albach through-roads in the state's next renovation offensive. It is hoped that there will not only be clarity about possible available funds, but also short-term measures to improve traffic safety and reduce noise pollution.

Noise protection measures in view

The topic of noise protection is becoming more explosive in view of the situation described. Noise protection has been a key concern on federal motorways and federal highways for years, as it affects a significant portion of the population. The federal government has now invested over 5 billion euros in noise protection and noise abatement should also be a priority in Fernwald as soon as possible. [bmv.de].

The municipality of Fernwald is sticking to its demand to establish transparent and regular coordination between Hessen Mobil, the district and the municipality in order to jointly address the challenges surrounding the L 3129. We can only hope that words will soon be followed by actions and that residents will be able to benefit from a noticeable improvement in the near future.