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Bicycle bridge over the Weser: traffic solution or grave of millions?
The planned bicycle bridge over the Weser is intended to relieve traffic in Verden in 2027, but is met with criticism because of its high costs.
Bicycle bridge over the Weser: traffic solution or grave of millions?
Something is happening in Verden - and it doesn't just affect cyclists! An ambitious project to build a bicycle bridge over the Weser near Intschede is causing a stir in the district council. Both the SPD and CDU have expressed their support for the project, which aims to relieve the traffic situation in Achim and Verden. The worrying traffic volumes in these regions have fueled discussion about alternative solutions.
But not everyone is enthusiastic. The Greens express sharp criticism of the high costs of around 15 million euros and emphasize that the project could lead to new debt without offering significant added value for traffic safety. The final decision on the construction of the bridge is still pending. 150,000 euros have already been earmarked for the preparation of the tender for 2025, while the start of construction is on the agenda for 2027 at the earliest.
Traffic and safety considerations
The strategic considerations behind the construction of the bridge are clear: it is about unbundling bicycle and car traffic in the area of Kreisstraße 9. Cyclists currently have the right of way at the Intscheder Weir, which limits the number of vehicles crossing. It remains problematic that there are currently only three Weser bridges in the Verden district, which are increasingly perceived as a “bottleneck” in the transport infrastructure. Recently, the Ueser Bridge in Achim was closed for several weeks, which led to lengthy detours and demonstrated the urgency of an overarching plan.
Opponents of the project fear that the new bridge may become the most expensive bicycle bridge in Germany. The current record holder is a bicycle bridge over a railway line in Tübingen, which cost around 16 million euros. The Verden district plans to cover 9.5 million euros of the total costs for this project. In this context, the discussion about a secure financial framework is of utmost importance.
Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan 2030 in the background
Against the background of the current project in Verden, this should also be the case Federal transport infrastructure plan 2030 cannot be ignored, which represents the central instrument for the federal government's transport infrastructure planning. A total volume of around 269.6 billion euros is intended to support both the maintenance of existing networks and the expansion and construction of new projects. The integrated elimination of bottlenecks is a main goal.
The projects are subject to strict benefit-cost analyzes and must also be justified in terms of environmental and spatial planning. It becomes clear here that the plans in Verden cannot be viewed in isolation, but are part of a comprehensive transport concept that aims to set the course for sustainable and future-proof mobility.
It remains to be seen whether the bicycle bridge can ultimately be realized. What is certain is that the discussion about alternative transport solutions in Verden is in full swing and the pressure on those responsible is growing, especially in view of the frequent traffic jams and bottlenecks in the region.
A clear look into the future: The need for innovative mobility solutions is great, and citizens hope that those responsible will demonstrate a good hand in decision-making.