Gordian knot solved Above-ground crossing at Camsdorf Bridge comes with traffic light solution

For many years, there has been a common desire to create a safe crossing of the western Camsdorf Bridge, especially for cyclists and pedestrians, but also for motor traffic. After many years of planning a wide variety of options, the preferred option was a structural underpass under the western arch of the bridge. This would have meant encroaching on the adjacent floodplain forest and was therefore controversial for nature conservation reasons. Above-ground solutions were viewed critically in the available expert reports, particularly for traffic safety reasons. For this reason, an additional "safety audit" was carried out this year. In this, the variants were evaluated specifically with regard to traffic safety.

Expert opinion gives the green light

The new construction of a traffic light system for pedestrians and cyclists on the immediate western abutment of Camsdorfer Brücke - i.e. an above-ground crossing over Karl-Liebknecht-Straße - was deemed feasible in this report. The additional traffic light at this point increases traffic safety on the one hand - without having to worry about significant losses in the efficiency of motor vehicle traffic and road-based public transport - and on the other hand, no intervention in the riparian forest, which enjoys a high level of protection under nature conservation law, is necessary.

The city has repeatedly questioned its approach during the long process and I have always emphasized that we will refrain from crossing under the Camsdorf Bridge if there is another suitable solution. I am therefore very pleased to have now found an option with the urban development and mobility departments through the safety audit that will have little impact on traffic and - most importantly - ensure the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. The riparian forest can remain untouched.

says Christian Gerlitz, Head of Urban Development and Environment.

As the Landfeste is currently being redesigned, the new traffic lights and, above all, the route for a traffic light system can be implemented as part of this measure. The access roads on the opposite north side will also be adapted. The only downside is that it may be necessary to fell one or two large trees in the area of the Landfeste. However, the fact that the biotope along the Saale will remain untouched with this variant and 19 trees in and outside the biotope will be preserved makes this solution excellent, especially from a nature conservation perspective. The construction measures are expected to be completed with the redesign of the land fortress at the end of October 2020.