Improvement of the cycling infrastructure around the Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof is planned – 300 square meters of additional green space along the route
Vienna (OTS) – In 2023, Vienna achieved a new record for cycle path construction. 20 km of new cycle paths were built or launched and almost 35 million euros were invested. In 2024, we will continue to work hard on expanding comfortable, modern cycling infrastructure in Vienna. A highlight: In the future, comfortable cycling on structurally separated cycle paths will also be possible on the important connection from the Belt to the Danube Canal – via Fuchsthallergasse and Alserbachstrasse, across the 9th district. The project will now go into detailed planning and will be implemented from autumn 2024 to the end of 2025.
“The focus of our cycle path offensive is on closing central gaps in the cycle path network and creating new cross-connections – as with the new cycle paths along Fuchsthallergasse and Alserbachstrasse. This popular route from the Belt to the Danube Canal across the 9th district should finally receive the modern cycling infrastructure it deserves, with structurally separated cycle paths instead of the previous multi-purpose lanes and driving on the road,” says Mobility and Planning City Councilor Ulli Sima. “Of course, under the motto ‘Get out of the asphalt’, we will also ensure more greenery and cooling in this project and ultimately redesign Julius-Tandler-Platz to be climate-friendly,” continued Sima.
“Promoting sustainable mobility is my top priority in the district. With the state-of-the-art cycle connection from the Belt to the Danube Canal, we are pedaling hard to make cycling even more attractive for all district residents. This milestone marks another important step the path to a climate-friendly mobility transition – and I am happy to contribute to this as district leader,” emphasizes Alsergrund district leader Saya Ahmad.
Structurally separated cycle paths along the entire route
Fuchsthallergasse and Alserbachstraße are part of Vienna’s main cycle network and are highly frequented cycle routes that connect the Belt (U6 station Währinger Straße) and the Lände on the Danube Canal (U4 station Friedensbrücke).
There is currently only one multi-purpose strip on both sides of Alserbachstrasse. In Fuchsthallergasse there is a structural one-way cycle path on the outward side of the city. Towards the city center, cyclists ride in mixed traffic together with all other road users.
That’s set to change soon: construction work to improve the cycling infrastructure around Franz Josef Train Station is set to begin at the end of the year. It will start in Fuchsthallergasse in 2024, followed by Alserbachstrasse in 2025. Cyclists will then have structurally separated one- and two-way cycle paths on these streets for safe progress.
A structurally separate two-way cycle path is to be built on Alserbachstrasse on the side of the odd house numbers. The cycle path runs from Spittelauer Lände to Liechtensteinstrasse as a two-way cycle path. In order to create the best possible cycling conditions in the complex intersection areas with Liechtensteinstrasse and Nußdorfer Strasse, there will be one-way cycle paths on both sides of the road in this section. In Fuchsthallergasse from Währinger Belt to Nußdorfer Straße, the one-way cycle path out of town will be left and will be supplemented by a second one-direction cycle path towards the town centre.
“For many years there has been discussion about safe, structurally separated cycle paths on Alserbachstrasse and Fuchsthallergasse, including in the city centre. It is clear to anyone who has cycled there that they are sorely missed. We are now implementing this important cycle path connection from the Volksoper to the Friedensbrücke across the 9th district. Another project from the Progress Coalition that shows that even difficult projects can be realized with political will and determination. My special thanks go to the committed citizens of Agenda Alsergrund and the district politicians who – ultimately successfully – campaigned for this,” says NEOS Vienna mobility spokeswoman Angelika Pipal-Leixner.
“We have achieved a milestone with the east-west cycle connection. The expansion of cycling infrastructure in the built-up area is a major challenge that we have now mastered. The 9th district is thus contributing a crucial component to the overarching cycle path network,” says the deputy district head. Christian Sapetschnig.
Redesign based on citizen participation: “Get out of the asphalt” at Julius-Tandler-Platz
Around 300 m2 of additional green space and new trees are currently planned in the planning area. As part of the improvement of the cycle path infrastructure in Alsergrund, Julius-Tandler-Platz will also be redesigned to be climate-friendly according to the motto “Get out of the asphalt”. In 2022, the first stage of a citizen participation process was carried out for Julius-Tandler-Platz. The results provide important framework conditions for the redesign of the square: people want a better quality of stay, more greenery and cooling.
As the forecourt of Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof, Julius-Tandler-Platz is an important transport hub for many people with transfer options from the station to tram lines 5, 33 and D. The 8-storey superstructure of the station is currently being renovated and access to the passenger station is being improved . The quality of stay and the microclimate at Julius-Tandler-Platz including Nordbergstrasse from Alserbachstrasse to Spittelauer Platz are to be permanently and sustainably improved. Climate change adaptation measures such as greenery and water elements are central.
A building construction project is currently being implemented at Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof; once it is completed, the design of Julius-Tandler-Platz can begin in 2025.
rk-Fotoservice: www.wien.gv.at/presse/bilder
Questions & Contact:
Sophia Schönecker
Mediensprecher StR’s Ulli Sima
Mobil: +43 676/8118 82182
E-Mail: sophia.schoenecker@wien.gv.at
Alice Gerlach
Alsergrund district management
Political consultant & public relations officer
Tel.: 0676/8118 09123
E-Mail: alice.gerlach@wien.gv.at
Martin Blum
Mobility Agency Vienna
Phone: +43 1 4000 49901
E-Mail: martin.blum@mobilitaetsagentur.at