Gießen/Stadtallendorf (dpa/lhe) - On the construction site of Autobahn 49 in central Hesse, work can again be carried out without restrictions. The partial construction freeze imposed after the discovery of traces of explosives had been lifted, the regional council (RP) Gießen announced on Wednesday. "The suspicion of contaminated sites has not been confirmed. There is no risk to the soil, groundwater or people." This is the result of follow-up investigations in the construction site area near Stadtallendorf affected by the stop. According to the RP, the analysis included the excavation pit as well as material that had already been removed there and reinstalled elsewhere.
No pollutants were found in most of the soil samples. According to the RP, these include compounds typical of explosives or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). A very small amount of the explosive TNT was detected in two areas and a low level of PAH contamination in another area. However, the concentrations were below the limit values, said a spokesman for the authorities.
The regional council had ordered the partial freeze on construction in May. Suspicious traces had previously been discovered in the excavated soil near Stadtallendorf - a former armaments site. Analysis of the found lumps later confirmed that it was the explosive hexyl. The RP reported that soil samples were then taken from the area. A hexyl load in the excavation pit was not found.
According to the authorities, excavated soil can remain on the construction site according to the results of the investigation or can continue to be used there "without damage" as intended. As a precaution, however, the construction company decided to expand the floor areas with the minor loads separately. According to the RP, these are to be installed on the site of a former explosives plant under the road surface, which will later be sealed watertight.
The gap closure of the Autobahn 49 in central Hesse has been under construction since 2021. The work should be completed in 2024. The new route is controversial - in autumn 2020 there were violent protests by environmentalists against the necessary forest clearing.
