Urgent: Thalheim Road Project in Crisis – “Money Verblet?” Canton Faces Backlash
Published: [Current Date]
In a shocking turn of events, the Thalheim road renovation project in Schaffhausen has hit a major snag. Despite assurances from the canton that everything was planned correctly, the newly renovated road crossing at Thalheim-Alikon train station is now inaccessible to large vehicles, causing significant disruptions for local farmers and businesses.
Initial Concerns Ignored
Just over a year ago, three cantonal councilors raised concerns about the intersection’s suitability for large tractors with trailers. The canton, however, assured that the planning was thorough and that there would be no issues. The road was renovated as planned, but soon after completion, problems emerged.
Unforeseen Obstacles
The newly constructed concrete ramps at the intersection were found to be too steep, posing a danger to the tires of large vehicles. This oversight has forced large tractors to take longer routes through the village of Thalheim, significantly hampering their operations.
Canton Reacts to Public Feedback
The canton has now acknowledged the issue and is taking steps to rectify it. The construction directorate announced that the ramps will be flattened, a process that will take around three weeks and require the closure of the Loorstrasse again.
Cost Implications and Future Planning
The cost of this rectification work is estimated to be in the lower five-digit range, adding to the already significant total costs of CHF 3.2 million. This raises questions about the initial planning process and whether cost considerations led to the oversight.
Historical Context and Future Implications
The intersection was not a major accident focus before the renovation, but it was noted as a danger point in the cantonal police accident statistics. This incident highlights the importance of thorough planning and public consultation in infrastructure projects to avoid costly mistakes.
Expert Insights
Urs Wegmann, an SVP cantonal councilor, has been vocal about the need for better planning. In an interview with Tele Z, he questioned whether cost considerations had led to the current problems, saying, “It looks like money was saved at the wrong places.”