Mobility in Castrop-Rauxel: Safety and Investments in March 2026

Safety and Investments in the Focus of Mobility Policy

In Castrop-Rauxel, March 2026 was marked by comprehensive decisions and planning in the field of mobility. The focus was on the safety of school route users, the financing of construction measures, and the technical implementation of improvement projects. The city consciously opted for cost-effective yet sustainable solutions that are viable in the long term.

1. School Route Safety: Balancing Costs and Effectiveness

The safety of the Cottenburgschule was a central point of discussion. The SPD and CDU jointly presented three action proposals: a zebra crossing, road narrowing, and the status quo. The administration favored road narrowing with a "nose" as a cost-effective and quickly implementable alternative. The cost for this option was 36,270 euros, significantly less than the budget for a zebra crossing (65,100 euros).

Important to the decision was the analysis of traffic data: the vehicle traffic volume of 130 vehicles per hour is below the reference values, and there have been no accidents at the location in the past six years. Nevertheless, parents expressed feelings of insecurity—a concern that could not be politically ignored.

2. Financing and Investments: EUV 2027 as a Central Funding Instrument

The financing of the measures is carried out via the budget of the European Environmental Federation (EUV) for 2027. This allows the projects to be implemented without directly affecting the city's budget. In addition to road narrowing, other measures such as sidewalk widening (approx. 90,900 euros) and street lighting expansion (29,700 euros) are planned. These investments show that Castrop-Rauxel is thinking long-term about the safety and attractiveness of its infrastructure.

3. Technical Implementation: Precision and Cost Transparency

The technical details of the construction work are meticulously planned. For example, rectangular paving stones combined with deep curbs will be used in the restoration of sidewalks, while the asphalt surface layer AC 11 DN and base layer AC 22 TN serve as the standard for road construction. The setup of the construction site follows the ZTV-SA standard, including guide fence barriers, barriers, and traffic signs. The costs for the guide fence barrier amount to 6.60 euros per meter.

Quality is also a priority in street lighting: ten poles of 5 meters in height with class P3 ensure sufficient lighting. The costs for the work are transparent and uniformly calculated, a central point of discussion in public projects.

4. Safety and Coordination: A Team of Politics, Administration, and Experts

The implementation of the measures requires close coordination among various actors: Straßen NRW, the district road construction office, and the road traffic office must be involved. The provision of space for truck and bus movements, as well as safety footplates and planters, are further elements indicating a professional and coordinated planning approach.

In addition, the safety of workers during construction is a decisive factor. The administration has set clear guidelines: only qualified specialist companies may carry out the work, and construction sites must be set up in accordance with applicable safety regulations.

Outlook: Sustainability and Cost Efficiency as the Key

The decisions of March 2026 show that Castrop-Rauxel follows a clear line in the field of mobility: safety, cost efficiency, and sustainability are in the foreground. The investments in school route safety and road construction are not only short-term measures, but form a foundation for future-proof infrastructure. In addition, the financing via EUV 2027 and the transparent planning ensure responsible use of public funds.

In April 2026 it will become clear whether the measures are as effective in practice as expected in the planning. But until then, one thing is clear: Castrop-Rauxel is consciously investing in a safe and vibrant city.