Traffic chaos in Gusow: speed limit of 30 km/h for more safety!

Traffic chaos in Gusow: speed limit of 30 km/h for more safety!

The discussion about the security measures on the B167 between Seelow and Gusow runs like a common thread through the region's news. Today, August 13, 2025, Infrastructure Minister Detlef Tabbert and District Administrator Gernot Schmidt met in Seelow to present new plans for the dangerous curve along the road. Given the numerous accidents that have occurred on this route, the urgency of the need for action is clear. The minister first gained an impression of the situation on site in order to underline the necessity of the planned measures.

The planned curve improvement calls for the felling of 61 trees, including 10 avenue trees. This decision is already causing a stir: The German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) has filed a lawsuit against the felling and an urgent application against the planning approval decision is pending. Until this is completed, tree felling will be suspended for the time being. As cityreport.pnr24-online.de reports, a discussion should be held sensibly in order to both increase traffic safety and take into account the protection of the old trees, which are considered a “treasure”.

Measures to improve road safety

In view of the high risk of accidents on the curve in question, the aim is to temporarily reduce the speed to 30 km/h. The existing road cross-section and cross slope are inadequate and increase the risk for road users. There are already protective barriers in the curves and speed limits of 70 km/h. However, for many experts, this is too high, and the state environmental agency advocates a more comprehensive solution to reduce the risk. MP Sahra Damus (Greens) sees the need to reconsider the speed limit in order to improve safety, especially for school buses, as shown in a report by rbb24.de.

Some experts have also noted that accidents involving collisions with trees on country roads account for almost 60% of road fatalities, and it is precisely in this context that tree conservation must not be left behind. The FGSV has dealt intensively with the question of how existing trees can be protected in the best possible way and what accompanying measures are necessary to improve the negative accident statistics, a topic that is explained in more detail on the fgsv.de website.

The balancing act between traffic safety and nature conservation

District Administrator Gernot Schmidt has outlined the goal of finding a solution that involves both the people in the region and takes into account the protection of the avenue trees. This is particularly important as resistance is growing to the felling of 75 trees, including 18 English oaks that are over 250 years old. Political representatives and the public agree that the conservation value of the avenue must be taken into account in planning. Collaboration between all relevant actors is required in order to find a reasonable and acceptable solution.

As the statistics show, there have been no accidents on the curve in recent years, but the danger still remains. Transparent communication and public involvement should ensure that the measures are not only enforced but also well received. The state and the district will closely monitor the progress of the process and work to ensure that all voices are heard.