Solomonic solution

Why the Liezen bypass was “buried”

Lots of traffic jams every day in Liezen.(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

Predominantly positive reactions to the expansion of the B 320 - a four-lane variant is not yet set in stone.

The plans for a bypass around the district capital Liezen were buried this week, instead the B 320 will be extended further - the "Krone" reported. Reactions to this Solomonic traffic solution have been predominantly positive, with businesses located at the entrance to the town in particular breathing a sigh of relief. "Of course there is still a lot of clarification needed, but this option was the best," explains Mayor Andrea Heinrich (SPÖ). The reasons:

• It would have taken 15 years for a bypass to be realized and the Liezen recreational area would have been destroyed.

• A road along the Enns would have led through a Natura 2000 area.

• The extension of the existing route does not lead to any further soil sealing.

Incidentally, the originally announced four-lane extension is not set in stone. "There's still some way to go," emphasizes Andrea Heinrich. It is questionable whether there would even be enough space to widen the city entrance - as is well known, the city entrance is lined with numerous stores, hotels and fast food chains.