Rhine-Alpine News
24.02.2021
New Schierstein Bridge Nearing Completion
Schiersteiner Brücke (Wikimedia CC, Kandschwar)
The Autobahn bridge of Schierstein from 1962, a main connection between the German state capitals of Wiesbaden and Mainz across the Rhine, has since its opening had its traffic grow manifold, with heavier axle loads. This caused deteriorating conditions and resulted in traffic restrictions and even a temporary closure, creating a major bottleneck. Construction of a new 6-lane bridge is now nearing finalization, with the last segment recently put into place.
Read more details here (external link, German language)
Frankfurt Region: „Schienencoach“ Supports Rail Transport
Rail transport for people and goods is a backbone of Frankfurt Region’s mobility strategy. A new measure for strengthening rail across the region is the implementation of a “rail coach”: This person supports businesses and local administrations in their efforts to improve rail transport. In detail, the “rail coach” will help to reactivate regional railway lines and stations. In goods transport, he will support the construction or reactivation of loading tracks. He knows how to access the available subsidies and he does first assessments of suggested rail projects.
The new coach, Michael Roggenkamp, is a senior rail manager. He has built up and supported private rail companies since the German rail reform of the nineties. “I want to simplify the rail system for the regional actors”, he says about his new job.
Find the whole news here (external link, German language)
In a parallel development, the recent Goods Mobility Concept (“Güterverkehrskonzept”) for Baden-Württemberg State, which is located south of Frankfurt Region, also suggests a very similar position as a promising measure for supporting rail freight.
„Multimodality“ Workshop by EGTC Rhine-Alpine
Multimodal train (Photo: Deutsche Bahn AG)
The EGTC organises a workshop within the project “Grün und Multimodal im Rhein-Alpen-Korridor”, funded by the Land of Baden-Württemberg. In this workshop, we want to discuss with manufacturing industry (SMEs) and the regional logistics industry the potential and concrete practical implementation in order to show perspectives and at the same time to learn from the economy how this support can be made even more efficient with public funds. The workshop takes place on 10 March 2021, 10:00-12:00 in German language.
Next Rhine-Alpine Talks
“Rhine-Alpine Talks” #7 will take place on 5 March 2021, 11:00 – 12:30with the topic “Overcoming Obstacles to Cross-Border Long-Distance Passenger Rail in 2021 – Time to Act in the Year of the Rail”.After a reduction of Euro-City trains and the almost complete disappearance of night trains some years ago, international trains have become more numerous again though at a lower level than before.
What does this mean for the Rhine-Alpine Corridor? More high-speed rail, or a mix of high speed and conventional rail? How to accelerate the implementation of an integrated timetable? What other measures can make transport more rail-friendly and more user-friendly? This includes railway stations as important interfaces.
Please find Agenda and registration here!