Finalized penultimate part of project B178 - Final phase of B178 project nears completion
On Sunday, the penultimate segment of the B178 federal highway in southeastern Saxony will be officially opened. This newly constructed stretch connects the tri-border area near Zittau to the A4 motorway at Weißenberg. The city administration of Zittau has announced a citizen's festival, offering attendees the chance to test the new section by bicycle or inline skates.
Regular traffic will commence on this approximately six-kilometer-long section beginning Monday. The total construction costs are estimated to have reached around 57 million euros, sourced from the fund for structural change in Saxony.
As of now, around 242 million euros have been invested in the new construction of the eastern German federal road. The first phase, the Zittau bypass road, was opened in July 2000. There is still one remaining section to complete the entire route, for which the planning approval process is currently underway. This 5.8-kilometer stretch includes a connection to the A4, with estimated costs at approximately 120 million euros.
Zittau's independent mayor, Thomas Zenker, emphasized the project's importance for the region's economic development and daily commuters, characterizing the construction of the B178 as a "century project." He expressed hope for swift action and concluded that the Free State should prioritize the legal process and the completion of the northern section.
The city administration of Zittau is also working on the creation of comprehensive community and employment policies to attract industry, finance, and transportation companies to the area, aiming to further boost economic development and job opportunities. The implementation of these policies could potentially reduce commuting distances for the local workforce, further improving their quality of life.
