The hotly debated car-free Friedrichstraße project is to be continued – however, after motorists, cyclists are now also being banned.
The plan was to abolish the wide cycle path in the middle of the street, the traffic management announced on Thursday after the “Berliner Morgenpost” reported.
The previously pursued idea of a “promenade” with the focus on pedestrian traffic did not work, said a spokesman. The cycle path in particular proved to be problematic. Pedestrians will have priority everywhere. “That’s a crucial improvement.” Because it would open up completely new design options.
The traffic test to the “Friedrichstrasse promenade” began in August 2020. Since then, cars have been taboo on a 500-meter-long section between French and Leipziger Strasse, where the luxury department store Galeries Lafayette is also located.
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However, the hoped-for upswing for the shops along the shopping street has not materialized so far. According to the “Save Friedrichstrasse” action alliance, the number of visitors has even fallen since the project started – which could also be due to the corona pandemic. Traffic Senator Bettina Jarasch (Greens) is now planning a new concept.
dpa