Regarding the criticism by the Saarland Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) of the lack of construction site coordination and the repeated severe traffic problems on the A 620, the FDP Saar states:
The FDP Saar sees itself confirmed in its position by the current criticism from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. As early as March, the FDP Saar had called for an acceleration program for the renovation of the A 620 and warned of the consequences of an excessively long construction period for commuters, businesses, and the Saarland economic location.
The state chairwoman of the FDP Saar, Angelika Hießerich-Peter, states:
"Anyone who restricts a central transport route like the A 620 for years needs a convincing plan to accelerate construction work and relieve commuters, businesses, and residents. The current feedback from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce shows that our warnings were justified. When delivery traffic comes to a standstill, customers stay away, and companies have to bear higher costs, a traffic problem turns into a location problem."
The FDP Saar had already called for bonuses for faster completion, early involvement of the construction industry, modern traffic control, and better coordination of the numerous traffic measures in Saarland. What is necessary is construction site management that not only looks at individual construction sections but keeps an eye on the performance of the entire traffic network.
The health policy spokesperson of the FDP Saar, Dr. Helmut Isringhaus, adds:
“The A 620 is not only a commuter and economic artery. It is also part of the medical accessibility in Saarland. When poorly coordinated construction sites regularly cause massive traffic jams, it also affects patients, medical transport, care services, and in emergencies, the rescue service.”
Particularly problematic are single-lane construction sections with concrete barriers. "Those who get stuck there during a full road closure cannot get out anymore. People may be trapped for hours – without the possibility to turn around, without an exit, and without a realistic chance to leave the route. This can be dangerous for the sick, those in need of care, or people on their way to urgent medical treatment," said Isringhaus.
Among others, patient transports for dialysis, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgeries, follow-up appointments, or transfers between hospitals are affected. Discharges from clinics and transports to care facilities could also be significantly delayed. Outpatient care is also impacted: if caregivers get stuck in traffic jams, administering medication, insulin, wound care, or assistance with getting up and daily care would be delayed.
Therefore, the FDP Saar is calling not only for an acceleration of construction work but also for a binding emergency and evacuation plan for construction sites on key traffic routes. This includes fast towing and recovery capacities, prepared access routes, clear responsibilities between Autobahn GmbH, police, fire department, emergency services, state and municipalities, as well as better real-time information for control centers, hospitals, patient transport services, and larger care providers.
For longer single-lane sections with concrete barriers, emergency openings, turning options, or other technical solutions must be provided. Detours must also be planned so that they are practical not only for general traffic but also for emergency vehicles, patient transports, and care vehicles.
Angelika Hießerich-Peter concluding:
"Infrastructure must be renovated. But it must be renovated in a way that ensures Saarland remains accessible. The state government, the Autobahn GmbH, and the municipalities must shorten construction times, better coordinate measures, and plan rescue routes and emergency concepts bindingly from the outset. Construction site management is a matter of economic strength, safety, and responsibility."
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