Saxony-Anhalt ready for winter: 23 road maintenance departments in action!

Saxony-Anhalt ready for winter: 23 road maintenance departments in action!

People in Saxony-Anhalt are well prepared for the coming winter. Transport Minister Dr. Lydia Hüskens visited the road maintenance department in Gardelegen and highlighted the extensive preparations for winter road maintenance. Around 35,000 tons of road salt and 3,500 tons of brine are stored in the halls and silos to ensure traffic safety even in ice and snow. Almost 750 emergency services and 279 clearing and gritting vehicles are ready to react quickly should winter show its cold shoulder. What is particularly pleasing is that the snow fences will be erected over a total length of 118 kilometers in the next few weeks.

But what exactly does winter service actually mean? Wikipedia defines it as measures to ensure road safety and mobility in winter. This is not just about roads, but also about rail and air transport as well as shipping. The goal is clear: ice and snow should be removed in order to avoid slippery conditions and therefore dangerous situations for drivers. The various techniques, such as motor-driven devices for large areas or manual removal with snow shovels etc., are used as required. While clearing snow is often very time-consuming, the winter specialists in Saxony-Anhalt make a valuable contribution to road safety.

Preparing for winter

With an amount of road salt of 5.7 tonnes per kilometer on federal roads and 4.4 tonnes on state roads in the last winter service period, Saxony-Anhalt has proven that it is serious. A total of around 2.76 million euros were spent on gritting materials. Even though a lot is being done to keep the streets free of snow and ice, Minister Hüskens points out that not everything can be cleared at the same time. Drivers should therefore check their vehicles for winter suitability and drive carefully.

The classified road network is a central point in planning: in Saxony-Anhalt it covers 10,428 kilometers, of which 2,022 km of federal roads and 4,084 km of state roads are managed by the State Road and Brandenburg Road Maintenance Office (LSBB). However, the districts and municipalities are responsible for clearing most district and municipal roads, which makes the coordination of winter measures even more challenging.

Efficiency and alertness

For the coming weeks, road maintenance departments are not only prepared to combat the snow, but also to deal with possible slippery conditions that endanger the roadways. Wikipedia explains that gritting agents such as mineral granules, organic granules and de-icing salt are used to ensure safety on the roads. Snow fences, also known as snow gates, are also a helpful measure against snow drifts.

The very different requirements of winter service make it clear how important a well-thought-out and well-equipped infrastructure is. Whether it's everyday commuters or delivery services that have to remain active in the cold season - everyone benefits from professional winter service. Make sure your vehicle is winterized and still enjoy the beauty of the winter months! The right preparation makes the difference between a smooth and a slippery everyday life.