- Only one of four cantonal roads in Schwarzenburg BE is currently passable without a construction site.
- Three main streets were opened at the same time; Residents complain about chaos and a lack of coordination.
- Mayor Urs Rohrbach appeals for calm – the construction work will last until autumn 2026.
There an excavator, here a crane and there a hole: The Bernese community of Schwarzenburg is currently mired in construction sites: construction is underway on three of the five main axes at the same time. For the residents this means: on Getting through is almost unthinkable.
As a local report shows, the residents – young and old – are disgusted: “The many construction sites are incredibly annoying,” says Annika (15). “We are currently the No. 1 construction site village,” says another resident. For him, the chaos is enormous: “It’s almost unbearable.”
In addition to the construction sites, many houses on the main streets are also being newly built or renovated. “That hinders traffic even more.” There is a driving ban on alternate roads and closed paths: “So I’m forced to drive through the village center,” he says.
“That’s a disgrace”
Margrit (64) from Schwarzenburg is also upset: “You can’t avoid the construction sites.” She does see that the renovation is necessary. Nevertheless, she doesn’t shy away from criticism: “The coordination wasn’t successful, there are construction sites here as far as the eye can see.”
“We are completely trapped,” says another resident, whose front door was torn up. “That’s a disgrace.” He is not against the construction sites per se, but according to him they should have been better discussed with the residents. “We rely on cars for health reasons and should be able to drive away at any time in emergency situations.”
“You don’t understand my hand signals”
Beatrice (53) from Rüschegg BE has to drive through Schwarzenburg on the way to Bern. “I already plan the waiting time at the construction sites into my travel time,” she says.
It’s also an annoying problem for Eleni, Annika and Sophie (all 15): “It’s totally dangerous for us pedestrians and cyclists.” Drivers drive faster so that they can catch the green light: “A driver almost ran me over because of that,” says Sophie.
At two of the three construction sites, traffic is kept in one lane with traffic lights. At the third there are two people who direct the traffic. One of them is Othman (50). “Old people in particular don’t understand my hand signals and are confused about how they have to drive,” he says. In most cases, however, it works well.
Mayor: “It is a state of emergency”
Mayor Urs Rohrbach admits to 20 Minuten that there is currently intensive construction going on: “We have a cantonal road in all directions and at the moment only the one to Bern is passable without a construction site.” He is aware of the situation: “It is a state of emergency,” said Rohrbach. The construction sites have been planned for some time: “The canton wanted to renovate the surface and the community wanted to replace the water and sewage pipes beforehand.”
Rohrbach does not see a problem in the construction sites equipped with traffic lights, but does see the impatience of road users. “At the moment you have to walk through the village with composure and some peace.” According to the mayor, the construction work will last until autumn 2026.
Call: Send us your construction site chaos
Do you know another region where there is construction chaos? Where are they located and why is there a mess? And how should the situation be changed? Tell us!
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Fabienne Gnos (fgn), born in 2002, started her internship in the Bern department in February 2026.
