Construction site madness in Schwerin: IHK demands immediate solutions!

Construction site madness in Schwerin: IHK demands immediate solutions!

Things are currently going haywire in and around Schwerin - the ongoing construction sites are causing major headaches for entrepreneurs, commuters and delivery traffic. According to the Schwerin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK), the situation is so tense that urgent measures are needed to improve mobility and the transport of goods. The main problems include the massive restrictions on rail traffic, which not only put a strain on daily commuting routines, but also cause significant additional costs for companies.

The current construction site problem is particularly bad on the important access roads in Schwerin. Traffic jams are commonplace and significantly increase travel times. The closure of the A14, which took place due to a bridge inspection of the Störkanal bridge, is particularly critical. “This comes at an inopportune time,” explains the IHK spokesman. That is why IHK Chamber President Matthias Belke is calling for closer cooperation between the railways, federal government, state and local authorities in order to better coordinate the construction sites. “We don’t have to look at these construction sites in isolation, but rather plan them in a larger context,” he says, emphasizing the need for improved coordination.

Fixed construction sites and traffic restrictions

Road users in Schwerin also have to adapt to numerous other restrictions. Schwerin City Economic Services (SDS) have announced two construction projects that will start soon. From Monday, January 20, 2025, Ricarda-Huch-Straße will be repaired. The sidewalk on the side of the even house numbers will be closed in sections, while pedestrians can move to the sidewalk opposite. The work in two phases is scheduled to be completed by February 9, 2025.

Another construction site concerns the broadband expansion on Wittenburger Straße. Construction work will begin on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, and will include closing the sidewalk between Friedensstrasse and Heinrich-Heine-Strasse. Pedestrians are also directed to the opposite side of the street. Additional measures between January 21st and 24th, 2025 concern the relocation of the “Wittenburger Straße” bus stop and an emergency route for pedestrians and cyclists.

Urgent need for action on the transport infrastructure

Companies and commuters are challenged and the IHK is therefore not only calling for short-term solutions to relieve the current situation, but also long-term strategies to improve the transport infrastructure. Investments in expanding the road network and modernizing rail transport are at the top of the list. The mobility transition in Germany calls for a rethink: away from motorized individual transport and towards more environmentally friendly, alternative means of transport.

In order to successfully implement these innovations, precise data about traffic usage and infrastructure are necessary. The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) therefore supports various projects, such as the mFUND innovation initiative. These aim to optimize the infrastructure in cities and municipalities so that mobility can be improved both ecologically and economically. The approach includes the development of indices to assess sustainability and the introduction of autonomous means of transport, which could particularly benefit rural public transport services wismar.fm, Schwerin-lokal.de, bmv.de.