CDU calls for clarity: Closing the A44 gap after 50 years is in danger!

CDU calls for clarity: Closing the A44 gap after 50 years is in danger!

There are currently major discussions in the Mettmann district about closing the gap on the A44 between Ratingen and Heiligenhaus. This project has been on the agenda for 50 years, and the pressure on those responsible is increasing. The CDU member of the Bundestag Peter Beyer has lost patience and is finally demanding clarity from the Federal Ministry of Transport about the progress of the project. “What is really going on here?” people ask themselves in circles, because after the last stop-go situations due to complaints from residents, which were only resolved last year, little is happening. Beyer has already written a letter to Federal Transport Minister Schnieder to obtain information on financing and schedule, without looking into the future.

The gap closure of the A44 covers the section between the Ratingen-Ost motorway junction and the B 227 in Velbert and, with a length of around 9.8 kilometers, is one of the largest gap closure projects in the North Rhine-Westphalia motorway network. Rapid progress in the region could significantly improve mobility and relieve the inner cities of Heiligenhaus, Ratingen-Homberg and Hösel from through traffic, which would benefit all citizens. Not only traffic flows but also environmental aspects are important, and these plans are examined very carefully. “There is something to be done for the future,” says Beyer, when it comes to the impact on noise and exhaust fumes, which could be significantly reduced through shorter travel times and fewer traffic jams.

Current developments and citizen participation

At the local level there is also the issue of citizen participation. The citizens' service in Haan will remain closed on Friday in order to check signatures for a citizens' petition against the new building of the Haan town hall. A committed citizens' initiative collected around 3,700 signatures. If there are enough valid signatures, the city could withdraw the plans for the new town hall or schedule a referendum.

Another important issue is the safety of women in the catering industry. In Erkrath the offer of help “Is Luisa here?” introduced, which calls on bars, pubs and restaurants to train their employees so that women can enjoy more safety when going out. But during these various initiatives, traffic in the Mettmann district will also be closely examined.

Traffic detection and speed controls

The police in the district punished over 2,000 speeding violations in a current operation called “Operation Speed” and checked almost 12,500 vehicles. What is particularly striking is the number of over 2,059 vehicles that were traveling too fast. A driver in Ratingen was even caught driving at a whopping 101 km/h at a permitted speed of 50 km/h and now has to expect a fine of 400 euros as well as two points in Flensburg and a month's driving ban. Most of the violations identified were recorded in Ratingen, followed by Erkrath and Hilden.

However, there is a conclusion with positive prospects regarding the A1, which is also the focus of traffic planning. Closing the gap between Blankenheim and Adenau is in full swing. In several planning stages, care is taken to ensure that all environmental concerns are taken into account in order to find the best possible overall solution. If this planning makes rapid progress, citizens can look forward to noticeable improvements in the transport infrastructure.

The developments around the A44 and the overall project give the region the opportunity to break new ground both in terms of traffic and citizens' concerns. The coming weeks and months will show what happens next and whether the citizens' hopes will be fulfilled.