In Münsterland, the busy L572 state road between Borken-Burlo and Südlohn-Oeding was renewed and reconstructed. A continuous safe footpath and cycle path connection was created over a distance of 3.5 km. On behalf of Straßen NRW, Oevermann Verkehrswegebau GmbH carried out the work in a joint venture with its subsidiary GS Straßenbau GmbH.
From June to December 2022, the carriageway of the L572 was reduced from 11.00 m to 7.50 m over a length of 2,700 m so that a separate cycle path and footpath could be created next to the carriageway. The aim: to be able to guide cyclists, including schoolchildren, more safely between the towns of Borken-Burlo and Südlohn-Oeding. In addition, several bus stops were converted to be barrier-free in the course of the reconstruction.
Large-scale cross-section redesign with full road closure
The team of Verkehrswegebau-Niederlassung Münster/Dortmund GmbH and GS Straßenbau carried out the cross-section redesign on behalf of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, at times with full closure. The construction work included the production and installation of 30 cm frost protection layer made of RC gravel as well as asphalt base layer and asphalt surface layer. On the 2,700 m, the team also renewed the adjacent sewer stops and manholes. A further 2,000 m of the carriageway was rebuilt, whereby in some cases the entire carriageway including sub-base had to be renewed and PAH-contaminated material had to be disposed of. In the remaining areas, the existing asphalt layer was milled off to match the profile.
Economical and sustainable realisation
In order to complete the cycle path, another 800 m were built in addition to the 2,700 m of cycle path in the area of the cross-section redesign. In order to minimise the impact on the environment for the construction of the cycle path, part of the noise protection embankment had to be cut. The 1 m high cut edge of the embankment was supported by means of a newly constructed dry stone wall. As part of the project, Verkehrswegebau also renovated the adjacent roundabout in the village of Burlo. The renewal of the entire surface took place over two weekends. The new surface course was made of mastic asphalt - a building material that is 100 percent recyclable and brings economic advantages due to its durability.
Customer request for "special adherence to schedules" reliably implemented
During the full closure originally planned until 30 December 2022, a new express bus route X80 called "Baumwollexpress" was introduced, which usually runs via the L572. In cooperation with the Landesbetrieb Straßen NRW, the originally planned construction schedule was adjusted so that the full closure could be lifted four weeks earlier and the express bus could thus run via the L572 from 02.12.2022. All in all, the team undercut the construction time by 15 working days. This was a great success for everyone involved and made for satisfied faces on the part of the client.
Efficient project realisation with LEAN
Success factors in this project were a cooperative and close collaboration of all project participants. In order to keep an eye on scheduling at all times, a joint scheduling of the work was carried out with allocation of personnel, materials, equipment and subcontractors for each day.
The redesign has created a continuous and safe walking and cycling connection over a distance of 3.5 kilometres and has significantly improved road safety on the L572.
