After almost two years of construction work, Behlertstrasse is to be reopened to traffic on Monday afternoon. The road, one of the most important traffic arteries through the city to the north, had been thoroughly renovated and renovated since July 2021. This involved a complex system of detours through the city center.
Mayor Mike Schubert (SPD) was satisfied on site Monday morning that the extensive construction work remained “reasonably” on schedule and within budget: At around five million euros, it was around 15 percent more expensive than planned, and the work also lasted 3, 5 months longer. Schubert also recalled the employee who died in an accident on the construction site in January 2022. The legal processing of the incident is still pending: The trial at the district court against a construction worker whom the public prosecutor’s office accuses of negligent homicide was adjourned in March due to a lack of investigation results.
The construction officer Bernd Rubelt (independent) thanked all road users and residents who had to deal with the not always easy access situation during the construction period. The feared traffic chaos did not materialize.
Rubelt also emphasized that there is “more safety for cyclists” on the new section of road. The protective strip has been widened by around 60 centimeters to 1.80 meters. Additional protective measures for better separation from car traffic, such as thresholds in the road, are not possible due to the space situation, he said when asked by PNN.
“Clean Air Asphalt” aims to reduce noise and pollutant emissions
In the course of the renovation, Behlertstraße was given a new type of surface that is intended to reduce noise and pollutant emissions: the so-called “Clean Air Asphalt” is mixed with titanium dioxide and is intended to break down nitrogen oxides or convert them into harmless nitrates under the influence of sunlight. According to the city, the process, which was used for the first time in 2019, is used on 13 routes nationwide – including the B1 in Geltow. The developers at Strabag assume that the nitrogen dioxide concentration will drop by up to 26 percent as a result of the pavement. The effect should be permanent. In addition, the surface – similar to “whisper asphalt” – should dampen traffic noise.
The pipes, sewers and house connections under the roadway were also renewed in cooperation with the municipal network company and the municipal energy supplier EWP: According to the city, it was about 385 meters of rainwater sewer, 330 meters of waste water sewer, 420 meters of drinking water pipe, 1050 meters of medium and low voltage, 180 meters Gas line and 420 meters of cable systems for data cables. André Lehmann from Netzgesellschaft was confident that no line work would be necessary on this section for “the next few decades”.
Southbound traffic diverted until mid-May
The construction project also included the production of 1,700 square meters of barrier-free sidewalk made of mosaic paving, the planting of 16 lime trees, which will enjoy special growth care until September 2027, and the installation of energy-saving LED street lighting.
Even if traffic is moving north again through Behlertstrasse, southbound traffic will continue to be diverted through the city center until mid-May, it said. During this time, the temporary access road and the construction site facilities still have to be dismantled. The parking lots in Kurfürstenstrasse are being remodeled, and the section of the cable route up to Mangerstrasse is being renovated. The Chileplatz area at the intersection with Berliner Strasse is to be renatured. By April 23, the pedestrian guidance in the Mangerstrasse/Kurfürstenstrasse area is to be supplemented with a guidance system for the blind.
