Today, the state road authority informed the district and local authorities in Seelow about the necessary alterations and extensions to the B 1 federal road. This took place against the background of the plans for a new construction of the Oder bridge in the area of the Küstrin-Kietz border crossing (Märkisch Oderland). When it is completed, the current tonnage restriction (7.5 tonnes) will be lifted. It is then to be expected that lorry traffic will increase. This was the result of corresponding calculations. (see below)
The aim of the analyses was to identify structural and traffic-related projects to improve road safety on the B 1. The basis for a needs-based design of the traffic facilities in and out of town was compiled, which should meet the interests of residents and road users.
There are no plans to develop a second, high-performance traffic axis in an east-west direction that competes with the A12 motorway. At the same time, care should be taken to ensure that the growing traffic can be routed safely and in a compatible manner via the motorway.
The section of motorway under consideration between the A 10 Eastern Berlin Ring and the Oder has a length of almost 65 km. It connects the Republic of Poland with the metropolis of Berlin via the centre of Seelow.
The state road authority commissioned a certified road safety auditor to draw up proposals for structural improvements in the local thoroughfares and on the open stretches between the towns. The result:
Local thoroughfares
Barrier-free crossing facilities such as centre islands and bus stops are predominantly lacking at junctions. The side road facilities are often too narrow and in a poor surface condition.
Route alignment and visibility
Only the Heidekrug bend to the east of Lichtenow has too tight a radius. A strong formation of crests and troughs was particularly evident between Diedersdorf and Müncheberg as well as Müncheberg and Hoppegarten.
Cycle paths
There are no cycle paths out of town, between Diedersdorf - Jahnsfelde, Jahnsfelde - junction to Müncheberg and junction Kienbaum - Hoppegarten.
Intersections and connection of service roads
At the intersections, it must be checked whether left turn lanes and lane dividers can be installed. It should also be checked whether connections to the main road can be dismantled and developed from the rear.
Bus stops
Bus stops outside built-up areas should have bus bays. It is also necessary to provide safe guidance for pedestrian traffic in the area of the bus stop, for example by means of a traffic light on demand.
Projects already in the planning stage
- B 1, new construction of the Oder bridge Kostrzyn-Küstrin by the Road Construction Administration of the Republic of Poland
- B 1 / B 5, cycle path Hoppegarten - L 385 and Heidekrug bend with conversion of the B 1/L 385 junction, including crest improvement and construction of an island at the entrance to Hoppegarten and cycle guidance in Hoppegarten town centre
- Junction B 1 / L 233
The state road authority will now coordinate with the municipalities to determine which improvements can be implemented in the respective local thoroughfares along the B 1 / B5. Among other things, this coordination is necessary because the ancillary facilities (e.g. pavements) are the responsibility of the municipalities.
The effects of the new construction of the border bridge were analysed in a study on traffic development in 2021. It also looked at the interactions with the A12 motorway and other expansion projects in Poland and Germany. As a result, it was predicted that an increase in heavy goods traffic must be expected compared to the 2015 and 2021 traffic counts. To the east of Müncheberg, around 500 - 600 lorries / per working day and to the west around 1,900 lorries / working day could be on the road in 2030.
Information on all roadworks in the state can be found in brief in the roadworks information system of the state authority: https://www.ls.brandenburg.de/ls/de/bauen/baustelleninformationssystem/