Berlin – On September 24, Transport Senator Ute Bonde (CDU) announced that he would tackle traffic jams in Elsenbrücke. But he didn’t keep his promise. Now, two months later, the situation still has not changed. We asked, the answer was confusing.
Elsenbrücke, which leads from Treptow to Friedrichshain, had to be demolished and is being rebuilt. A temporary bridge will accommodate traffic during construction. The traffic jam occurred because one of the two lanes on the temporary bridge in the direction of Friedrichshain was intended for bicycles. After the extension of the city highway to Treptow was released on 27 August, ending in front of the bridge, the situation became unbearable for everyone involved. This is a daily traffic jam.
Bonde had promised to open the bicycle lane on the temporary bridge to car traffic. No result. Why not? Due to “structural deficiencies” discovered in the slopes of the temporary bridge. “Additional support structures” are needed to accommodate the loads that arise when the second lane on the bridge is used by cars.
When will additional support structures be installed? Answer: “Planning documents for the road structure improvements are now available, which must be reviewed and approved.”
There is no timeline for when the temporary bridge must be repaired. And the need to renovate traffic lights also takes a long time. We are told that “not all traffic-related investigations have been completed,” but “planning preparations” are “underway.”
Who can understand such answers? Not us and probably not Senator Bonde, otherwise he would not have announced the opening of the second lane of the bridge in September. You get the impression that he doesn’t know what’s going on in his government.
This also applies to city highways. In the spring, Ms Bonde watched in amazement as the Ringbahn and Westend Bridges had to be closed and demolished. Although the federal Autobahn GmbH is responsible for this, the transport senator should prepare alternative routes as he is responsible for traffic control.
In the case of the Heidelberger Platz highway section, it failed again. Two of the three northbound lanes were closed due to bridge damage. Traffic increases day by day to Innsbrucker Platz and beyond. All side roads are blocked.
And again Mrs. Bonde looked amazed and remained inactive. So far he doesn’t even feel the need to provide an explanation of what will happen next: Will the A 100 remain stuck or is there perspective?
City highways are the most important axis for private transportation in Berlin. Is this known in the Senate? Do they know what it means for thousands or tens of thousands of workers to show up late for appointments every day?
Top positions in Senate administration have very different qualities. The one at the back is Ms. Bonde.
Is Gunnar Schupelius right? Write to: gunnar.schupelius@axelspringer.de
