With the expansion of the canal promenade along the Dortmund-Ems Canal, the city of Münster is setting a milestone for mobility in Münsterland. The goal is to make the 27-kilometre stretch, which is used by both cyclists and pedestrians, even more attractive and sustainable. Construction work started in July 2022.
In a total of six sections, the 3-metre-wide service road will be widened to 4 metres from the city border with Greven in the north to Senden in the south. The transport route engineering team from Oevermann, a subsidiary of PORR, was initially commissioned to extend the fourth construction section from the AMW asphalt mixing plant to the balloon launch site. With the additional commissioning of work in the 3rd construction section, the activities were successfully completed at the beginning of September.
Building for better mobility
It is impossible to imagine the cycling city of Münster without the so-called Leeze. It is therefore all the more important that the leisure and tourism route in Münsterland can be used comfortably by both cyclists and pedestrians. The sometimes narrow sections, potholes as well as the sections of the canal promenade consisting only of chippings and gravel are now a thing of the past.
Targeted solutions for special challenges
The organisational challenges of the project were not to be underestimated. The work in this section had to be carried out in advance and over the site's own construction area. Therefore, a central handling point had to be set up for material disposition. Especially for moving 1,250 angle elements (up to 2.1 t each), this meant a logistical masterpiece. The existing rows of trees and hedge sections made the construction process considerably more difficult. To make the path more comfortable and safer for cyclists and pedestrians, some of the plants had to be removed in advance. Thanks to efficient teamwork, however, these complex tasks were successfully mastered.
Contract extension completed
The good progress made during the spring on the fourth construction phase led to an extension of the contract. Part of the third construction section between the asphalt mixing plant and CMG has now also been successfully completed by transport route engineering. The asphalt work was completed on schedule in the 31st calendar week, followed by other important steps such as the jointing between the angular elements and the asphalt, the construction of tubular steel spar railings, the marking of the road surface and the installation of signage for timely traffic clearance.
The completion of the project is an important step in significantly increasing mobility and accessibility in the region. The canal promenade will now be more comfortable and safer for cyclists and pedestrians. Undoubtedly, this will help to further increase the attractiveness of the region.
Ceremonial opening
The canal promenade was opened on 21.09.2023 with a public celebration. Numerous Münster residents attended the opening ceremony of the route along the canal, which was organised by the city and inaugurated as part of the "European Mobility Week". Team Oevermann was also present at the event organised by the city of Münster with a stand, where many interested Münster residents found out about the project. And for those who had a deft hand at our wheel of fortune, there was a surprise or two.
