Traffic and Mobility in Witten: Focus on Infrastructure, Cycling, and Parking Management

Important Traffic Planning in Witten in February 2026

The mobility situation in Witten continues to gain in importance, particularly against the backdrop of climate targets, the increasing use of cycling, and growing urbanization. In February 2026, political bodies engaged intensively with forward-looking traffic concepts. The Mobility and Traffic Committee played a central role, addressing both infrastructural measures and municipal traffic management strategies.

Construction and Renovation: From Bridges and Dams to the Omega Bridge

The renovation of Witten's traffic infrastructure is a long-term project that will span several years. Particularly noteworthy is the rerouting of the Herbede industrial access road. The first construction phase, stretching from Heven to Herbede, is planned for 2028 and is expected to be completed in 2031. The second construction phase, which includes the new Omega Bridge, is scheduled for after 2031 and will likely take 12–14 months. These measures are part of a broader plan to improve regional connectivity between Witten and its surrounding areas.

Another exciting project is the renewal of the bridge on Kronenstraße. The administration plans to remove the existing bridge and replace it with a road or embankment at the same location. A two-lane traffic design is proposed. A time and cost schedule will be submitted to the Mobility and Traffic Committee to facilitate an informed decision.

Cycling: Expansion and Safety in Focus

Cycling is a central component of climate-friendly mobility in Witten. In February 2026, several measures were announced aimed at further strengthening cycling. The Metropolrad Ruhr bike-sharing system was awarded to Donkey Republic as of April 1, 2026. The new bikes are equipped with an 8-speed gear system, and there will be more bikes and more stations available. Additionally, bike parking facilities (bike racks) have been installed throughout the city.

Another topic was safety in cycling. The CDU faction submitted a motion proposing a ban on overtaking on Vormholzer Straße to improve cycling safety. The administration will assess whether the traffic sign 277.1 is legally and traffic-planning-wise permissible. Also discussed was the possibility of using an enforcement trailer for speed monitoring in order to further enhance road safety in the city.

In May 2026, the actions "Stadtradeln" and "Schulradeln" are planned, aiming to promote both physical activity and environmentally friendly mobility.

Parking Management and Public Participation

The parking situation at the University of Witten/Herdecke was another central topic. A parking space survey was conducted, and proposals include resident parking with parking discs as well as new resident parking zones in Bebbelsdorf and on Rosi-Wolfstein-Straße. Public participation is planned for May 2026, and a decision could follow in August. These measures aim to create a better balance between students, employees, and residents.

Outlook and Challenges

The discussions in the Mobility and Traffic Committee show that Witten is actively working on shaping a future-proof traffic infrastructure. Although some projects are still in the planning phase, work on the infrastructure of the future is already underway. At the same time, it becomes clear that political motions and public participation are crucial for the success of these measures. The coming months will show whether the planned projects can be implemented on schedule and how the mobility situation in Witten will change.