Heated debates

Schützen northern bypass remains controversial

The people of Schütz are now happy that the bypass has largely relieved the traffic-plagued village.

(Bild: Reichard Judt)

There were heated debates before the Schützen northern bypass was built. Almost 10 years later, residents and other communities are still reacting sensitively to the issue.

The opening of the western section of the S7 expressway in the south of the province will take place on March 22. The construction project was initially heavily criticized. The situation was similar with the Schützen northern bypass.

Referendum as the starting signal for heated debates
The turbulent history of the bypass dates back to 1998. On behalf of the state, a referendum was then held in the municipalities of Schützen to Parndorf in 2001. There was a choice between a northern and a southern variant - the starting signal for many heated debates. Only Schützen voted for a bypass. Reason: in 2001, 13,000 vehicles raced through the village, on peak days as many as 18,400 cars. A situation that was no longer acceptable for the residents living along the B50. "The bypass should lead to an improvement in the quality of life," said the then governor Hans Niessl and former mayor Walter Hofherr.

The northern bypass was opened in 2014. "The people of Schütz thank you for the bypass" was written on posters by supporters. Opponents were not present at the opening.

(Bild: Reichard Judt)

(Bild: Reichard Judt)

Expropriations and disputes among residents
Not everyone was convinced by the large-scale project. There were expropriations of landowners and disputes among the residents. "The bypass has divided the village," says Bibi Watzek, spokesperson for the citizens' initiative. Tempers also ran high in the neighboring villages. Due to the strong opposition, the expressway was not expanded. Schützen received its northern bypass, which was opened in December 2014.

The mood in Schützen is harmonious again
10 years later, the mood in Schützen seems to be harmonious again. The "emotional rifts" are hardly noticeable anymore. The people of Schützen are happy that the bypass has relieved the traffic-plagued village. "From my point of view, the decision to build a bypass was the right one. Looking back, I would have taken a different path to the decision," says Mayor Roman Zehetbauer. The mayor can only smile at statements such as "Schützen is a ghost village" or "the village is dead": "Schützen is not a classic tourist community that needs traffic. The business structure has not changed significantly." Bibi Watzek counters: "The landscape is fragmented. An embedded road would have been ideal."

(Bild: Reichard Judt)

Good relationship between the villages
Even if the relationship between the villages could not be better today, the bypass still leaves a bitter aftertaste. "There were great fears that the bypass would be extended. We had two options. Down along the railroad line and up at the edge of the forest. Both were rejected. And we don't regret that," explains Breitenbrunn's mayor Helmut Hareter. Richard Hermann, mayor of Purbach at the time, adds: "With the bypass all the way to Parndorf, it would have been a transit route. A catastrophic idea."

Measures for environmentally friendly development
Donnerskirchen's mayor Johannes Mezgolits also comments: "Looking back, the decision not to allow a bypass in Donnerskirchen was absolutely right. The decision at the time would probably be even clearer today. The progress made in the public transport infrastructure, such as the electrification of the Raaberbahn, the conversion of the park and ride facility in conjunction with the climate ticket, as well as the increased environmental awareness and nature conservation measures of the municipal administration, have contributed significantly to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly development." As the municipality of Winden has the shortest transit route, a bypass would not have paid off at all, according to Mayor Erwin Preiner. "But it was certainly the best solution for Schützen," says Preiner.

According to Gerhard Navratil, head of the road construction department, there are no plans to widen the expressway in the next few years. The other municipalities can therefore breathe a sigh of relief.