“The traffic opening of the Westring Bridge, which is planned for 2024, brings great opportunities to redesign the city center,” says Linz’s Deputy Mayor and Traffic Officer Martin Hajart (VP), who presented his first priorities just under two weeks after taking office. At the top of the list is the main square, which should become car-free when it is opened to traffic.
Only deliveries to the companies and to the catering trade and taxis should be allowed. “We have to use the remaining time and move forward with the corresponding planning. A car-free main square offers many opportunities for business and tourism,” says Hajart. But the idea is not entirely new. How does he intend to implement the idea that his predecessors failed with? “I rely on dialogue with all factions and everyone affected. Together we can find a solution.”
500,000 euros for main street
In addition, more space for pedestrians and cyclists is to be created on the Nibelungen Bridge, at the expense of lanes for cars. “We expect the West Ring Bridge to mean 20,000 fewer cars a day,” says Hajart. Around 60,000 vehicles are currently using the bridge every day. According to other calculations, the load will remain similarly high despite the western ring. “But then it was assumed that the Nibelungen Bridge would remain unchanged,” replies Hajart, “if we give drivers less space and give cyclists more space, fewer cars will use the bridge.” Addendum: “It will be very important how we can improve the connections at the bridge crossings for cyclists.” Hajart also wants to calm Urfahraner Hauptstraße, for example by setting up a meeting zone. Corresponding preparatory work already exists. The city’s double budget includes 500,000 euros for the redesign of the main street.
Speaking of the budget: 7.2 million euros are available for the construction of footpaths and cycle paths as well as roads and their renovation. “The road construction program is already being processed,” say Hajart and Hans-Martin Neumann, the director for planning, technology and the environment the city of Linz.
Whereby work is not only done on roads, but also on traffic lights. Because these should become “more intelligent”, two million euros have been earmarked for this in the budget. A first smart traffic light is planned at the Kapuzinerstraße/Limonigasse intersection and should be ready by June. This traffic light automatically recognizes when someone is approaching the protection route. It also recognizes how many people are crossing the street and how fast they are traveling, and varies the green phase accordingly.
Source: Nachrichten
