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Mega bridge to Usedom: Merz promises financing despite crises!
Friedrich Merz visited Schwerin and announced the financing of the Usedom Bridge, despite financial challenges in MV.
Mega bridge to Usedom: Merz promises financing despite crises!
Amid financing questions and construction challenges, Friedrich Merz, chairman of the CDU, spoke out in Schwerin on an explosive topic: the mega-bridge that is supposed to connect the island of Usedom with Wolgast. This bridge is part of the largest road construction project in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (MV) and the federal government has happily announced that it will take over the financing. But as is so often the case, funds are tight, which provoked both praise and criticism from the population. “We urgently need the bridge,” said a reader in the comments of Ostsee-Zeitung.
The planned bypass, which also includes the 1.7 kilometer long overpass over the Peene stream, is intended to relieve the traffic situation in Wolgast and improve the connection to Autobahn 20. Merz assured that despite the financial difficulties, the project will not stall. The total cost of the bypass is more than 500 million euros, which was surprising to many given the original plan of 140 million euros. The NDR also emphasizes that, given the economic situation in the federal government, further negotiations are necessary to secure financing.
Financing problems and uncertainties
Both the city administration and the construction companies are worried about the developments. The Ministry of Economic Affairs describes the situation as “difficult” and the mayor of Wolgast, Martin Schröter, expresses concern about the delays, which could affect traffic conditions. A section of the bypass has already been under construction for almost three years, while the core piece, the new bridge, is still in the planning phase and the construction companies' offers are well above the original cost estimates.
“We don’t want the project to fall by the wayside due to financial uncertainty,” emphasizes Economics Minister Wolfgang Blank and urgently calls for the funds to be released. Completion of the bypass is scheduled for the end of 2028, but whether this deadline can be met remains questionable. Balancing the benefits for tourism and the needs of local residents will be a major challenge for the region.
Importance for the region
The new suspension bridge, which at 42 meters will be the largest of its kind in Europe, is an important symbol of improving traffic conditions and could also relieve traffic in the old town of Wolgast. Merz's visit showed that there is an urge in politics to solve this problem, but whether the state parliament and federal authorities can live up to this responsibility will become clear in the coming months. The funding decision is pending and all eyes are on those responsible. A positive signal from the government would not only be important for the region's infrastructure, but could also contribute to the sustainable development of the community.