It’s finally set to happen in 2027: the city plans to redevelop Torgauer Platz

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Torgauer Platz is one of those locations in Leipzig’s road network that has been on the agenda for many years now, with plans to finally redevelop it. Yet this construction project, too, has been repeatedly postponed. Now, at long last, the project is set to go ahead in 2027. This also involves tram services on lines 3 and 8, which are to be secured for the long term – amongst other things, by widening the track centre distance so that the wider trams of the future can pass each other here too.

In order to improve overall road safety, Torgauer Platz and adjacent sections of Torgauer Straße and Eisenbahnstraße are also to undergo extensive redevelopment next year. The city’s leadership has now set in motion the relevant construction decision, totalling 8.7 million euros – with the city contributing around 5.8 million euros – following a proposal by Thomas Dienberg, the councillor responsible for construction. The city council must still make a final decision on this at one of its forthcoming meetings.

In total, the construction and planning costs amount to as much as 26 million euros, of which the Leipzig Transport Authority (LVB) is bearing the lion’s share at 15 million euros. And it is precisely the LVB that is under time pressure here, as the proposal to the city council emphasises: “The track construction work, in particular, is essential, as otherwise tram services via the important transport hub at Torgauer Platz would be jeopardised. This is of central importance for connecting the Heiterblick Technical Centre to the track network, via which the new NGT 12 trams will be deployed.

Without the expansion, the new trams cannot be fed into the track network from the Technical Centre. Furthermore, the completely inadequate conditions at public transport stops would remain. Based on the current plans, it is not possible for the L-Group to carry out the expansion of Torgauer Platz on its own, due to the close technological interdependencies with the city’s transport infrastructure.”

Construction period: March 2027 to June 2028

The project, which focuses on the refurbishment of the tram depot facilities, is scheduled to run from 1 March 2027 to 30 June 2028 – a period that anyone whose daily journey takes them via Torgauer Platz should make a note of. This is because, whilst the work is underway, Torgauer Platz will have to be completely closed to cars, trams and buses at times. A rail replacement service will be put in place during this period, whilst access for residents and delivery vehicles is to be maintained subject to site conditions.

Rails in a state of disrepair

The track infrastructure at Torgauer Platz is in poor condition and had to undergo emergency repairs last year. Most of the tram stops are not accessible to people with disabilities, the pavements are not uniformly paved, and the junction area in particular is difficult for cyclists to cross, not least because there are no separate cycle paths.

For this reason, Torgauer Straße – from Konradstraße to the Deutsche Bahn facilities – and Eisenbahnstraße, west of Torgauer Platz, up to Bautzmannstraße, are to be upgraded. The adjacent square and junction areas will also be redesigned.

The carriageways, pavements, tracks and overhead lines will be modernised. The tracks will be upgraded as far as Dornbergstraße to allow wider, new-generation trams to run there. Cycle lanes will be provided on both sides along Torgauer Straße and Eisenbahnstraße to improve safety for cyclists.

To improve the quality of the public space and add greenery to the square, new trees and green spaces will be planted. Due to the construction work, 14 trees will have to be felled; 24 new ones will be planted initially to replace them. Further new plantings are planned for the future. At Torgauer Platz, a drinking fountain, a mobility station and several cycle racks will be installed, and the existing railing will be replaced, according to the Planning Department.

The redevelopment will result in the loss of several parking spaces. A new loading bay for delivery vehicles is planned on Torgauer Straße, north of the junction with Konradstraße. Street lighting will also be fully converted to low-emission LED lights. The redevelopment is due to begin in March 2027 and will be largely completed by the end of June 2028; final touches, such as the new plantings, will continue until the end of the year.