Trog Mauritz Bypass

The bypass has been in existence since the 1960s. As early as 1965, traffic volumes were so high that measures were needed to ease congestion. The expansion took place in several phases: the first sections were completed between 1990 and 2001. The third construction phase has been under way since 2015. In addition, the route is being extended northwards as the B481.

The upgrade became necessary because the existing two-lane carriageway was no longer sufficient. This led to significant disruption for local residents due to noise, as well as a shift in traffic towards neighbouring residential areas.

The total length of the route is 6.2 kilometres. As part of the expansion, 17 new bridges, three trough structures and 5.6 kilometres of noise barriers are being built. This amounts to a total of around 210 million euros.

The next target is for work on the 900-metre-long trough structure to be completed by 2026, so that this section of the road can be opened to traffic. 

With the widening of the B51 to four lanes over a distance of 2.6 kilometres and the construction of a new section of the B481 spanning 4.6 kilometres, including the junction with the L587 (Schifffahrter Damm), a continuous south-east bypass for the city of Münster is being created.

The new road layout creates an efficient link from the Münster junction to the Greven junction on the A1. This is also designed to cope with future traffic volumes and can help relieve pressure on residential areas and the urban road network.