Construction of the new €287 million bypass for Wolgast in Germany will now go ahead, with the Federal Government providing the necessary funding. The centrepiece of the new 6.8km Wolgast Bypass will be a 1.4km bridge. The new bridge will have support pillars 70m and provide a clearance of 42m above the Peene River.
The project forms part of Germany’s Federal Infrastructure Plan, providing an improved traffic link to Usedom Island. The new bypass around Wolgast is needed to reduce traffic congestion in the area and will cut journey times for drivers, while also improving safety in the town. The alignment of the B111 bypass is routed to the South-East of Wolgast and this project will speed journeys to and from Usedom Island.
Construction of the bridge and bypass link is due for completion in 2030 but is costing more than the €137 million originally expected when work on the project commenced in 2021. The new bypass is expected to carry around 9,000 vehicles/day when it opens but traffic levels are then expected to begin to rise further in the future. Usedom Island is a popular tourist destination and is home to a nature reserve. The majority of the island is German territory but the border with neighbouring Poland lies at the South East end of the island and this part of the island is Polish.
