Nine-month delay: Traffic has finally been flowing freely across the Karl Bridge since 26 June

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On Friday, 26 June, the day had finally arrived, after the completion date had been repeatedly postponed. Even the Department of Urban Development and Construction described it as a “test of patience for local residents and those living nearby”. But now the new Karlbrücke on Industriestraße between Schleußig and Plagwitz has been opened to bicycles, cars and buses on route 74. Pedestrians have been able to use the crossing since October.

A modern replacement bridge has been built over three years at a cost of 9.8 million euros. Delivery problems with the steel arches, additional pipe relocations and, most recently, a cold winter had delayed the work by around nine months.

The old brick bridge, dating from 1900, was worn out: the arches, abutments and piers had open joints and cracks, meaning that boat traffic beneath the bridge could only be kept safe by using safety nets. A comprehensive assessment revealed that building a new bridge was more cost-effective than repairing the old one.

The new structure, made of steel and reinforced concrete, is 17.2 metres wide – around seven metres wider than the old one – meaning that, in addition to the carriageway, footpaths and cycle paths could be created on both sides. This provides greater safety for all road users. Furthermore, the bridge structure now spans the Weiße Elster without piers, allowing the river to flow unimpeded even during floods. Three benches on each of the new bridge caps, offering views of the Weiße Elster, invite visitors to linger.

Traffic reorganisation

In the vicinity of the works, there has also been – and continues to be – an extensive reorganisation of traffic: for example, a new pedestrian crossing has been built at the junction of Industriestraße and Holbeinstraße. This design is unusual, as pedestrian crossings have also been provided here for both junctions of Holbeinstraße. This means the crossing can be accessed barrier-free from all sides. This forms part of the city’s zebra crossing programme.

To improve road safety between Könneritzstraße and the Erich-Zeigner-Allee roundabout, a 30 km/h speed limit now applies on Industriestraße. Coinciding with the opening of the bridge, Leipzig Waterworks has now completed its works on Holbeinstraße and Stieglitzstraße. There, 500 metres of combined sewer and drinking water pipes were replaced.

Conditions are also improving for cyclists. Up to 3,000 cyclists were already using Industriestraße every day before the construction work began; the short section east of Könneritzstraße is therefore designated as a cycle route. However, the existing cycle lanes are frequently driven over, and cyclists are often overtaken without maintaining the minimum safe distance.

For this reason, continuous cycle lanes have been marked out between Erich-Zeigner-Allee and Holbeinstraße. East of the Karlbrücke, cycle traffic will also be channelled via a bus stop bay. Cyclists are made aware of their obligation to wait by means of a ramp and a pictogram.

New cycle lanes are also planned between Holbeinstraße and Könneritzstraße; parking will then no longer be permitted at the northern edge of the carriageway. However, an information event for residents is planned for later this year prior to this reorganisation.