Mobility Development in Offenburg: What Moved in February 2026

Offenburg is focusing on sustainable mobility – Spotlight on February 2026

Mobility development is a central factor for the future quality of life and sustainability in Offenburg. In February 2026, several key decisions were made that will have far-reaching effects on traffic, infrastructure, and the climate in the coming years. The city is pursuing a broad range of measures – from the creation of school streets to the electrification of urban traffic.

School Streets and School Zones: Safety and Climate Protection in School Areas

The establishment of school streets and school zones is a central point in the Master Plan for Traffic in Offenburg 2035. The goal is to ensure the safe journey to school for children and young people, reduce motor vehicle traffic near schools, and thus ease the traffic situation. With the update of the Road Traffic Ordinance 2024 and the decree from the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Transport in August 2025, the basis has been created to implement school zones and school streets in Offenburg.

In the meeting of the Transport Committee on February 25, 2026, a progress report on the establishment of school zones at three schools – Montessori School Center, Weingarten School/New Erich-Kästner Secondary School, and Anne Frank School – was presented. It is planned to review two school locations per year, taking into account criteria such as student numbers, traffic situation, and type of school. Implementation will be carried out through traffic regulations and partial withdrawal of road rights, with the affected schools, parents, and residents involved in the process.

Electrification of the City Bus Traffic: A Step Toward Climate Neutrality

The electrification of the city bus traffic is another focus of the mobility strategy. The City Council decided in March 2026 to extend the contract period for the city bus traffic to 15 years (01.11.2027 to 31.10.2042). This extension is necessary to economically amortize investments in emission-free vehicles and depots.

In addition, a gradual transition to battery-electric buses is taking place. As of 2026, at least 65 % of newly procured buses must be "clean vehicles," of which at least 50 % must be emission-free. Within the framework of the Master Plan for Traffic, the frequency of services and the optimization of operating hours in the city bus traffic will be implemented. The tender for the city bus traffic is planned for 2027, and a specialist firm will be commissioned to determine the conditions for the economically viable implementation of the drive transition.

Infrastructure Development: Bridge Construction, Underpasses, and Parking Concepts

The new construction of the Union Bridge and the expansion of Bad Street are central construction projects to be implemented in the coming years. The Union Bridge is not repairable and must be replaced by a replacement structure by 2030. A European-wide tender procedure has been carried out, and four designs have been carried over to the second stage of the procedure. The winner of the procedure will be responsible for planning the new bridge.

The renovation of the Eisenbahnüberführung (railway underpass) at Bad Street and the expansion of Bad Street are also well under way. The new bridge will include a tunnel structure complex that will enable the passage of motor vehicle traffic while at the same time optimizing cycling and pedestrian traffic. The costs for this measure amount to over 24 million euros, with the city of Offenburg expecting a net burden of 12.1 million euros.

In addition, a mobility concept for the southern cityscape is being developed. The utilization of parking space is a central issue there, which is why a district garage on the car park of the leisure center is being examined. The goal is to create about 250 additional parking spaces while at the same time promoting the environmental network.

Conclusion: Offenburg as a Pioneer in the Mobility Offensive

The decisions made in February 2026 show that Offenburg is not only making a clear course correction toward sustainable and climate-friendly mobility on paper, but also in implementation. The combination of infrastructure measures, the electrification of public transport, and the creation of safe traffic areas for children and commuters makes the city a pioneer in mobility development. In the coming years, it will be important to consistently implement these measures and gain public acceptance through transparency and participation.