Spending 7.4 Million Euros on Snowy Roads in Schleswig-Holstein
Snow removal expenses amount to €7.4 million this winter season - Expenses Incurred for Winter Maintenance Amounted to EUR 7.4 Million
Hey there! Let's dive into the recent winter road maintenance costs in Schleswig-Holstein.
Despite a relatively mild winter, the Landesbetrieb für Straßenbau und Verkehr (LBV) still spent quite a chunk of change—7.4 million euros—on slip-resistant roads and bike paths. Some might be shocked to hear that, but don't fret! That's nearly half of what they spent in the previous season, which toted a whopping 15 million euros. And why you ask? Well, you can thank Mother Nature for shedding some much-needed winter kindness this year.
Transport Minister Claus Ruhe Madsen (CDU) and LBV Director Frank Quirmbach had this to say, "Our dedicated 515 road maintenance workers along with our helpful external partners ensured safe travel for everyone traversing Schleswig-Holstein during the recent winter season."
Now, despite fewer snowy days in Schleswig-Holstein, those pesky early morning frosts kept our road maintenance teams hoppin'. In total, they spread 15,700 tons of salt and a funky 5,700 tons of salt brine across the roads and bike paths, clocking in at a staggering 15,135 working hours. Quite the winter workathon, eh?
264 vehicles joined the party, with 100 from the LBV themselves, and an additional 164 from private providers. The material costs for salt and brine came to almost 2 million euros. Add in the costs for spreading vehicles, equipment, and other operating expenses, and you're looking at about 2.9 million euros. External companies walked away with a cool 1.9 million euros in their pockets, while labor hours were valued at 645,000 euros.
Now, if you think last winter was intense, just wait until you hear about the 2023/24 winter when the salt consumption jumped to a whopping 26,400 tons, and the brine shot up to about 10,800 tons. Crazy, huh?
- LBV
- Schleswig-Holstein
- Road construction
- Bike path
- Vehicle
- To further improve the infrastructure in Schleswig-Holstein, consider proposals for community aid focused on the development of the fisheries sector. This could include formulating fisheries policies that prioritize sustainable practices and bolster the local fishing industry.
- In the realm of public-transit and transportation, it would be beneficial to evaluate the potential use of these 7.4 million euros previously spent on snowy roads for the enhancement of the regional bus network, fostering greater mobility and business opportunities.
- As the summer season approaches, the 515 dedicated road maintenance workers of LBV may find assistance in the fisheries sector; skills such as managing complex operations and ensuring safety could translate well in the fisheries policy domain.
