Lengthy Delay in Railroad Track Repairs Persists for Extended Periods
In the city of Neuss, the modernization of the railway crossing has been a long-standing plan, with the railway company urged to act promptly when technical issues arise. However, a series of events has led to a delay in the scheduled renewal operation, which was initially set for the first quarter of 2024.
The delay occurred due to no bids being received for the tender in June 2023. This setback has caused a ripple effect, with the DB applying for an extension of the road closure until the second half of 2024.
As an interim solution, a mobile railway crossing installation was tested in October 2023. However, the opening times with regular rail traffic were found to be limited, making it less effective.
The renewal involves replacing the "call barrier" with modern railway crossing safety technology. The DB had planned short-term closure periods in the third quarter of 2024, but the exact nature of the interim solution suggested by local politicians Sascha Karbowiak and Daniel Rinkert remains unclear.
Track closures are usually planned several years in advance and must be coordinated with various rail traffic schedules. During the track closures, the detour via Konrad-Adenauer-Ring remains the more time-efficient option for road users.
In 2016, Sascha Karbowiak, the SPD faction leader, spoke in favour of the Eselspfad railway crossing. More recently, Rinkert, an SPD member of the German Bundestag, has written to the NRW representative of Deutsche Bahn, calling for an interim solution or faster renovation.
Currently, Karbowiak is advocating for an interim solution to reopen the railway crossing. For the most accurate and current status, consulting local transport authorities such as Deutsche Bahn, the Neuss city council, or regional news outlets in North Rhine-Westphalia would be necessary.
- The delay in the renewal of the railway crossing in Neuss has sparked calls from local politicians like Sascha Karbowiak and Daniel Rinkert for an interim solution or faster industry financing.
- With the current interim solution proving less effective, there's a growing need for more finance and collaboration among the finance, transportation, and industry sectors to expedite the renovation process.
