The coastal town of Wolgast in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is once again in the spotlight due to its long-delayed bypass project. Initially celebrated as a key infrastructure initiative to ease traffic congestion on the B111 route to Usedom, the construction has now become a costly affair. According to recent reports, the total budget for the bypass has skyrocketed to over 500 million euros, almost four times higher than the originally estimated 140 million euros.
Why the Wolgast Bypass Matters
Every summer, thousands of holidaymakers travel through Wolgast on their way to the island of Usedom. The small town becomes a traffic bottleneck, with vehicles queuing for hours near the existing Peene bridge. For years, residents and local businesses have demanded relief from the gridlock. The new bypass aims to solve this by redirecting traffic around the town, improving accessibility to Usedom, and reducing environmental pressure on Wolgast’s historic center.
With only one kilometer of the bypass currently operational, the project is far from complete. Authorities now anticipate the full route will not be ready until 2028.
Cost Explosion – The Role of the Peene Bridge
The sharp rise in construction costs for Wolgast’s bypass stems primarily from the ambitious new Peenestrom bridge. The planned cable-stayed structure will be unique in Europe, spanning the Peene River at a height of 42 meters with pylons towering up to 70 meters.
While the design promises to be a modern engineering landmark, it comes at a hefty price. The Landesamt für Straßenbau und Verkehr (State Office for Road Construction and Transport) cites surging global raw material, energy, and labor costs as additional factors pushing the budget beyond expectations.
Bidding rounds with construction firms have already taken place, and the offers confirmed that earlier cost assumptions were far too optimistic.
Reactions from Wolgast Officials
Martin Schröter, the independent mayor of Wolgast, acknowledged the financial burden but emphasized the long-term benefits of the bypass. “The project may be more expensive than we planned, but the cost-benefit analysis remains positive,” he said, highlighting that reducing daily traffic congestion—estimated at 12,000 vehicles per day—is vital for residents.
The mayor has also called on the regional Economic Ministry for additional financial support, arguing that the bypass is essential for tourism, trade, and the town’s quality of life. Officials have stated that all available funding options will be evaluated to ease the financial pressure on the municipality.
A Long Road Ahead
So far, only a fraction of the bypass has been built, and Wolgast’s residents are left waiting. While frustration is understandable, the town views the bypass as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape local infrastructure. If completed as planned by 2028, the bypass could transform travel patterns to Usedom and finally end decades of seasonal traffic jams in Wolgast.
Despite the steep price tag, many argue that the project is an investment in the region’s future. Tourism remains the lifeblood of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and improving access to Usedom will continue to be a top priority.
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