Senate's New Torstraße Plan Sparks Debate Over Bike Lanes, Traffic, and Parking
The Senate Department has announced plans for Torstraße, which will be discussed at two upcoming events. The Mitte district office will host a dialogue on Wednesday, while the Senate Department will provide information at its offices on November 19.
The current plan, led by Senator Ute Bonde (CDU), differs from the 2022 plan by the previous Green Party-led department. It aims to address concerns raised by residents, businesses, and the fire department regarding traffic capacity and maneuvering room.
However, the advocacy group Changing Cities has criticized the plan for ending the protected bike lane abruptly before Rosenthaler Platz and lacking a traffic light at the intersection with Gartenstraße. The 2022 plan, on the other hand, aimed to create an attractive street with high-quality public space, comfortable cycling infrastructure, accessible sidewalks, and reduced car parking space.
The German Environmental Aid (BUND) has also criticized the current plan, arguing that it subjugates all objectives to preserving a four-lane car corridor. The BUND believes that the cross-section of Torstraße could have reconciled urban nature, climate adaptation, sustainable transport, and motorized traffic with reduced car lanes.
The Senate Department's plans for Torstraße will be discussed at the Mitte district office on Wednesday and at their offices on November 19. The current plan aims to address traffic concerns but has faced criticism from advocacy groups. The public is encouraged to participate in these discussions to voice their opinions.
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