Specifically, the implementation of different construction phases was determined, which are part of an overall concept. Of a total of five planned construction phases, two phases have now been completed. So far, Hochwald and Bahnhofstraße along the current REWE market as well as Lothringer Straße and the street "Zum Bauhof" have been developed. In addition, the areas around the motorway on- and off-ramps up to the Kaufland roundabout, which was converted into a traffic light-controlled intersection, have been realized.
For the efficient regulation of traffic flow, the area around the Marienkapelle as well as the area Losheimer-/Merchinger Straße/Zum Gipsberg will need to be redesigned in further detailed planning. The traffic concept includes a signal-controlled traffic management system for this area, which is intended to regulate the high traffic volume, minimize congestion, and contribute to improving traffic safety.
In coordination between the district town of Merzig and the State Road Construction Authority (LfS), the plans have now been initially postponed. "The background is," as Mayor Marcus Hoffeld explains, "the intended realignment of the V&B site at the entrance to Merzig from the direction of Brotdorf. This will give rise to new needs in the future regarding the organization of through traffic, which will have an impact on the main road through Merzig and especially on the interconnections in the aforementioned areas."
In this regard, it is important to integrate the potential use of the V&B tiles company site into the new planning process, which is located directly in the area of Losheimer-/Merchinger Straße/Zum Gipsberg and also affects the Marienkapelle area. The planning process for the future use of the V&B site, which will also involve citizens, is set to start in 2023. "The traffic development of this new urban quarter and the redesign of the related traffic routes are important factors that must be incorporated into sustainable considerations for the overall city traffic concept," adds the First Deputy Mayor Christian Bies. The future development and use of the old railway track running parallel to Losheimer Straße may also play an important role in the overall concept.
As part of the Merzig mobility concept, the integration of pedestrian, bicycle, and public transportation is an additional important requirement that must be taken into account in the interest of sustainable urban transport.
Therefore, the planning of a bicycle street in the area of Rotensteiner Weg, which, alongside Losheimer Straße, will also play an important role in the development of the V&B site, is initially being postponed. Instead, the intention is to create a separate bike path outside the road layout over the V&B site as part of a new traffic management plan.
The concept of safety holds a very high priority in the field of traffic planning. Potential hazards for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists are to be fundamentally minimized with the Merzig traffic concept.
“This now creates the opportunity, due to the aforementioned realignment of the V&B area, to consider the traffic issue within a larger urban planning context. This chance should be used proactively to improve the situation for particularly vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, as well as to enhance traffic flow,” explain Hoffeld and Bies.
