Whether on the road or on the rails – construction is everywhere. For travelers, it can be frustrating as it often leads to traffic jams, road closures, and other traffic disruptions. Many wonder: Why does it have to happen right now? Is there even any work being done? Here are answers to these and other questions.
Why are there so many construction sites? Germany’s transportation infrastructure is both aging and overloaded. Regular maintenance, renewal, and, in some cases, expansion are necessary. The increasing traffic volume accelerates these processes. Construction sites that cause disruptions are therefore unavoidable. Only through such measures can the transportation infrastructure be kept in a efficient state.
In the coming years, the German government will provide substantial funds to modernize and expand the transportation network. A clear priority is given to strengthening the rail system. Therefore, rail passengers, just like car drivers, will have to expect numerous construction sites in the future. However, everyone will ultimately benefit from the result – a more efficient infrastructure.
Does construction have to take place during the vacation season? Construction season typically starts at the end of winter due to weather conditions. For most maintenance measures, the frost-free period must be effectively utilized. Bridge work, road and track renewals, and new safety installations often require the time window from spring to autumn to be completed.
Additionally, many employees are on vacation during the holiday season. As a result, fewer people are affected by construction work. The disruptions are much less severe during this time due to lower traffic volume – especially since the construction sites operate under flowing traffic to keep it as smooth as possible.
Why are workers often not visible on construction sites? Many construction works, such as road construction, take place “invisibly” beneath bridges, in embankment areas, or in drainage systems. In these cases, usually a lane has to be closed. Quality checks, material deliveries, and drying periods for freshly asphalted road surfaces also contribute to fewer visible activities on construction sites.
How can travelers find information about construction sites? For drivers and railway passengers, it is important to inform themselves early about possible traffic disruptions. They can do this, among other things, by using:
- The Autobahn App from Autobahn GmbH des Bundes (Federal Motorway Company)
- The Baustelleninformationssystem (BIS) of the federal government and the states
- The app “DB Bauarbeiten” from Deutsche Bahn AG
- The BauInfoPortal from Deutsche Bahn AG.
What is the German government doing? As a strong industrial location, Germany relies on a high-performance infrastructure without bottlenecks and traffic jams. Therefore, the German government has introduced a law to expedite and simplify the expansion of key rail routes and road projects.
https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuelles/baustellenzeit-2202018