New Pedestrian Traffic Light in Blumberg Enhances Safety Amid Regional Transport Disruptions

On December 22, 2025, the Blumberg district of Ahrensfelde inaugurated a new pedestrian demand traffic light along the busy B 158, significantly improving pedestrian safety near local REWE and dm markets. The State Road Authority (LS) led the project, installing a barrier-free system with acoustic and tactile signals to aid visually impaired pedestrians. This traffic light features an automatic green time extension based on pedestrian volume and is temporarily turned off during low traffic hours, generally after 11 PM, coinciding with market closures.

The installation process involved curb and sidewalk adaptations by the Ahrensfelde municipality, with construction completed mid-November and the light operational before Christmas. Looking ahead, plans are underway to replace the intersection of B 158, L 31, and Berliner Straße with a roundabout, which would negate the need for the current traffic light.

Meanwhile, commuters in the Siegerland, Wittgenstein, Olpe, and Altenkirchen regions face ongoing transportation challenges. The RE9 train service from Siegen to Cologne endures frequent delays and cancellations, while the Rothaarbahn route between Bad Berleburg and Betzdorf also sees regular disruptions. Major construction projects like the Schleifmühlchen project in Siegen, ongoing since May 2023, continue to affect regional traffic. To keep the public informed, the Siegener Zeitung maintains a popular WhatsApp channel with around 17,000 subscribers providing real-time updates on these issues.

Together, these developments highlight both strides in local traffic safety and continuing transportation hurdles across parts of Germany.