The A4 motorway is a major European axis that runs from Aachen via Olpe to Dresden and is of particular importance for the region around Cologne. The expansion section from AK Köln-Süd to AK Köln-Gremberg is located entirely in the urban area of Cologne.
The project is part of the requirements plan (decision of 02.12.2016). For the 8-lane expansion of the A 4, a full expansion between the AK Köln-Süd and the AK Köln-Gremberg is planned, since the current 6-lane cross-section, with 3 continuous lanes in each direction, is not suitable to cope with the current traffic volume safely and efficiently. The route is identified in the bottleneck analysis with frequent traffic jams.
The section to be expanded begins west at the Motorway Junction Köln-Süd, crosses the Rhine in an easterly direction in the course of the "Rodenkirchener Rheinbrücke" and ends in the further course at the motorway junction Köln-Gremberg. Between the two motorway junctions is also the Köln-Poll junction. This is taken into account in the planning.
In addition to the extension of the main carriageway, the expansion of the Cologne-Gremberg motorway junction, as part of a project extension, is also part of this expansion project on the A4.
The course of the 8-lane extension of the A4 is essentially dependent on the location of the rhine bridge to be redesigned. Since the Rodenkirchen Bridge is not sustainable, it must be replaced by a new building. In the preliminary planning, various variants were examined, e.g. those of a replacement new building at the same location, as well as tunnel and bridge variants north / south of the existing location. At the end of 2022, a preferential variant for the 8-lane expansion of the A4 from AK Köln-Süd to AK Köln-Gremberg is to be determined and the preliminary planning is to be completed. The preliminary planning and the associated variant finding for the AK Köln-Gremberg is expected to begin at the beginning of 2023. Thus, both subprojects are initially processed with a time delay. (Draft planning of the 8-str.- expansion and preliminary planning + design planning expansion AK Köln-Gremberg from 2023).
The framework conditions for the implementation of infrastructure projects have changed in recent years. Large-scale projects meet with increased media and public interest. The sensitivity of the population has increased, the acceptance of formal approval procedures has decreased. Citizens' initiatives are forming and networking more quickly and demand greater transparency and co-determination. The risk of emotionalization and escalation of regional points of conflict has increased and the emergence of social media has further strengthened this trend. Overall, there is a significantly increased need for early communication, transparency and participation.
Therefore, the planning process to 8-str. Expansion of the A4 from the AK Köln-Süd to AK Köln-Gremberg incl.dem expansion of the AK Köln-Gremberg will continue to be accompanied by communication.
For this purpose, a project-related consulting service in the field of public relations and communication is required. These services mainly include external communication measures. Interventions in the living environment of those affected, the interests of various public interest bodies and nature conservation associations are in need of explanation and worthy of discussion with regard to the public. In order to achieve a better acceptance of the plans, continuous public relations work is absolutely necessary.
The aim is to increase acceptance of the described measure through early public participation. Through an active exchange, as many different interests as possible should be reconciled.
The communicative support is to take place during the entire period until the planning approval decision is issued. This means that the support takes place during the preliminary planning and design planning of the AK Köln-Gremberg or the draft planning of the overall measure and during the approval phase.