Portrayal of Stefan Heß, leading the road construction department, in focus
Stefan Heß, the new ministerial director in the Ministry of Transport Baden-Württemberg, is making waves with his focus on sustainable transport solutions. With a career spanning 25 years in public service, Heß has taken the helm from Andreas Hollatz, who retired after 37 years in the road construction administration.
Heß, who is responsible for over 7,000 bridges, 10,000 kilometers of state roads, and 4,200 kilometers of federal roads, is spearheading a shift towards more sustainable construction practices. The state is aiming to give advantages to construction companies that work sustainably, such as by saving CO2 or using recycled raw materials.
Innovative tendering strategies are also on the table. Heß is exploring new avenues, including bundled tenders and allowing companies to decide on construction methods. A collective tender for the planning of 31 bridges is being used, demonstrating a commitment to streamlined and efficient processes.
However, there is pressure to act swiftly. The state is under time pressure to renovate bridges, with only a small number being renovated currently. The goal is to renovate 100 bridges per year, but the actual number is still in the single digits.
Transport Minister Winfried Hermann (Greens) finds the construction of cycle expressways too slow. Heß often hears complaints about delays in construction projects, with the comment "Not in front of my door." being common.
Despite not being directly involved in the planning of the Viaduc de Millau, the largest bridge in the world, Heß's spouse expressed a desire to visit this architectural marvel. The family's wanderlust extends further, with their older children spending a year in Tansania and Peru, destinations that are even further away than the Viaduc de Millau.
Heß, who has four children, three of whom have already left home, is keeping busy with his responsibilities and dealing with the challenges that come with having a latecomer. The ministry, with over 1,000 employees in the government presidiums and more than 100 colleagues working directly for Heß, is a testament to the scale of the tasks at hand.
With Heß at the helm, the Ministry of Transport Baden-Württemberg is poised to make significant strides in sustainable transport solutions, efficient construction practices, and timely infrastructure renovations.
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