Zirchow remains steadfast: north variant of the bypass!

Zirchow remains steadfast: north variant of the bypass!

In the small community of Zirchow on Usedom, it is bubbling: the locals have long been calling for a bypass to meet the steadily growing traffic problems. Around seven years ago, more precisely in 2018, there was already a big demonstration in front of the Schwerin state parliament to underpin this wish. The Situation has not calmed down since then. The country is currently planning a northern route that would lead through a sensitive low bog. This enables nature conservation concerns, but the discussion about it has long been in progress. As reports [NDR] (https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/mecklenburg-vormern/ortsumhung-zirchow-land-haelt-an-nordvariante-feste-fest, mvregiogswald-170.html), the construction of the bypass should be realized.

The construction costs for the north variant are estimated at around 10 million euros, while the southern variant preferred by the municipality would cost around 20 million euros. Nevertheless, the southern variant, as community representatives emphasize, would be the more economic and environmentally friendly choice, as it promises a better connection to Heringsdorf Airport and the nearby residential and holiday areas without tearing down residential buildings. Interestingly, a survey at the beginning of 2024 showed that most of the circular residents and traders also choose the north variant.

political debates and local initiatives

When visiting the members of the Working Group and Finance of the CDU parliamentary group in Zirchow, the conversation revolved around the explosive topic. The economic policy spokesman for the CDU parliamentary group, Wolfgang Waldmüller, was on site to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the various route variants with the “Working Group on Local Working Zirchow”. It became clear that you are interested in both northern and southern options, a solution is urgently required. The residents already suffer from traffic jams, especially in the summer months, when the traffic in the direction of the popular imperial baths stalls. Not only the bypass plays a role here, but also a comprehensive concept for a better traffic infrastructure at the federal level. [NDR] (https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/mecklenburg-vormern/ortsumhung-zirchow-land-haelt-an-nordvariante-fest, mvregiogswald-170.html) emphasizes that the state government has been decided for the north variant.

The planned connection to Heringsdorf Airport could be further examined as part of the north variant. However, the municipality of Zirchow remains skeptical of the northern route favored by the state and continues to work for the more expensive but more strategically more advantageous southern variant. It remains unclear whether the southern variant still has a chance, because the federal decision of the financing is still pending and it is expected that the project will be rated in summer.

environmental aspects and traffic planning

In times when environmental protection is more and more important, the environmental compatibility of the route is thoroughly examined. According to Federal Environment Agency, comprehensive reforms in federal traffic route planning are necessary in order to bring the ecological aspect into future projects and to make the transport infrastructure in a climate-friendly manner. The planned bypass in Zirchow should therefore not only be considered with regard to financial effort, but also in terms of ecological effects.

Wolfgang Waldmüller emphasizes that the projects also have to be examined in more detail with regard to building basic reports, compensation and economic factors. An integrative solution for Zirchow could help to strengthen Usedom as a business and tourism location sustainably and to prevent the increasing traffic collapse.