Image: Erik Famler
CATFISH. In any case, Wels is not known for its clear traffic regulations – city residents are often asked about the difficult-to-navigate road network. This year, the busy construction activity of the municipal heat supplier eww, which is busy expanding the district heating network, also tested the patience of the locals with numerous blockages.
Anyone who thought they would be safe at the start of the heating season is wrong: From today on, Salzburger Straße (B1) is closed at the intersection with Schulstraße. Motorists are being redirected extensively on the critical commuter route: into the city via Westring and Noitzmühlstrasse towards Europastrasse, out of town from Dr.-Koss-Strasse onto Dragonerstrasse.
Heating season: Time is of the essence
The reason for the closure was a burst pipe in one of the city’s most important district heating pipes, explains eww board member Wolfgang Nöstlinger: “Wimpassing and the Garden City are supplied via this pipe, the work cannot be postponed.” The heat supplier would constantly check its network: “But this technical problem was unexpected, now we have to act quickly.” Time is of the essence: the heating season has begun, but given the mild temperatures, heat supply is still possible.
Nöstlinger asks for your understanding: “I know that these roadblocks are stressful for drivers. But ultimately everyone benefits from the fact that Wels is supplied with environmentally friendly district heating from waste incineration.”
The ban is also annoying for Felix Bachmair. His Falken pharmacy is on Salzburger Straße right next to the construction site. “But I had contact with the eww and the city and understand that it is necessary,” he says. His shop – as well as the numerous doctor’s practices nearby – can be reached from Europastrasse during the work. “I just hope that the three weeks are really right,” says Bachmair.
Nöstlinger strongly believes this will be the case: “We have reported a relatively long construction period. If the weather is right, we could even be finished sooner,” explains the board.
Relaxation in sight
In the coming year, there is at least some relaxation in sight on the streets of Wels: While this year the focus was on the main lines along the main thoroughfares when expanding district heating and replacing old lines, in 2024 it will be primarily the side streets’ turn. “These are more selective construction sites that have less impact on traffic,” announces Nöstlinger. The lines are also being prepared for several new construction projects.
In Thalheim, eww is using an ÖBB construction site: they are renovating the Almtalbahn railway bridge. Ascheter Straße therefore has to be closed; during this time the energy supplier is laying cables to connect the old people’s home there.
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