"Five years ago, a fresh section was introduced: B 31"
The much-anticipated new section of the B31 between Immenstaad and Schnetzenhausen, initially slated to open in 2020, finally welcomed traffic five years later in 2016. This stretch of road, located between Immenstaad and Schnetzenhausen, was designed to alleviate traffic congestion in Friedrichshafen, a significant traffic hub in the Lake Constance region.
The origins of the expansion plans for this crucial west-east traffic axis date back to the 1960s. However, it wasn't until 2014 that the groundbreaking ceremony was held, marking the official start of construction.
The opening of the new B31 section has had a notable impact on local traffic. According to the Federal Ministry of Transport, the new road has significantly reduced traffic within the town centre of Friedrichshafen, relieving the city of through traffic. The number of vehicles counted in the same location near Manzell on the B31 dropped from approximately 23,500 to around 8,600 in 2023.
Despite the delay in completion, the new road has not been marked by a high number of accidents, according to official statements. However, the exact number of accidents on the new road is not publicly available.
The expansion of the B31 doesn't end with the Immenstaad-Schnetzenhausen section. The sections Ueberlingen-Oberuhldingen, Oberuhldingen-Meersburg, Meersburg-Immenstaad, and Friedrichshafen/Waggershausen-Friedrichshafen are currently in the preliminary planning phase for expanding the B31 to four lanes.
For those interested in the latest updates on infrastructure projects and their impacts on local traffic, local news sources and the official websites of regional governments are valuable resources. Additionally, press releases and announcements from the federal or state transportation authorities responsible for the B31, such as the Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur (Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure) in Germany, provide insights into ongoing projects. Public consultations and planning documents, often accessible through local government websites or libraries, can also offer detailed information about road expansions.
Environmental organizations in the region have voiced concerns about the environmental impact of the ongoing expansion of the B31, particularly in terms of increased pollution and habitat destruction from the transportation industry and the associated increase in vehicle traffic. Some experts in the environmental sector argue that the financial benefits of reducing traffic congestion within the city center of Friedrichshafen should be weighed against the long-term costs to the environment and public health. With the forthcoming expansion of the B31 to four lanes, environmentalists are urging the industry of finance to consider supporting sustainable transportation solutions.
