Top connection from Pötzleinsdorf to the Belt – 19 new trees – more space on the sidewalk – structural completion at the end of 2024
Vienna (OTS) – More trees, more space on the sidewalk and a significantly higher quality of stay – this is what the climate-friendly Währinger Straße from Gersthofer Straße to Aumannplatz will bring in the future. The highlight of the redesign are the new, structurally separated cycle paths, which connect to existing cycle connections and thus enable safe progress from Pötzleinsdorf to the Gurtel in the future! Planning City Councilor Ulli Sima has together at the end of the week District leader Silvia Nossek and NEOS Vienna mobility spokeswoman Angelika Pipal-Leixner gave the starting signal for the redesign. It starts with the section along the Hans Radl School, where a two-way cycle path is now being built. The summer holidays are used here to enable unhindered school operations again in time for the start of school. The entire connection from Gersthof to Aumannplatz should be structurally completed by the end of the year!
“For me, this project is one of the many highlights of our construction program this year. Our cycling offensive is in full swing and this year we are once again implementing around 50 projects and 20 km of new cycling infrastructure. A lot has happened in Währing since the start of the offensive and with the new cycle path from Gersthof to Aumannplatz we are now closing a central gap in the Währing cycle path network,” says Sima, who thanks the district, the coalition partner and the specialist departments for the good and constructive cooperation . “What makes me particularly happy: Under the motto ‘Get out of the asphalt’, we are making this section of Währinger Straße climate-friendly with 19 new trees, flower beds, drinking fountains and seating and increasing the quality of stay for everyone,” says Sima.
District leader Silvia Nossek: “This project is the final building block to make cycling across Währing – from the Pötzleinsdorfer Schloßpark to the Gurtel – safe and attractive. I would be happy if, in the future, more and more people from Währing would like to travel one way or another by bike. And I’m happy that this previously gray section of Währinger Straße will be much greener in the future.”
“The construction of this structurally separated cycle path will soon make it possible to enjoy pleasant, safe cycling on this previously very unpleasant route. Closing the gap is of great importance for everyone who wants to get from Pötzleinsdorf and Gersthof to the inner districts. Through the connection with the bicycle-friendly Schulgasse “It will be possible to get to the belt cycle path comfortably and safely. Our ambitious expansion of the bicycle infrastructure is increasingly convincing people of all ages that the bicycle is the ideal, healthy and climate-friendly means of transport for their daily journeys and leisure activities,” says NEOS Vienna mobility spokeswoman Angelika Pipal-Leixner.
Safe new cycle connection through Währing by the end of the year
The structural completion of the entire connection is planned for the end of 2024, with remaining work such as floor markings to follow by spring 2025. At the same time as the construction of the cycle path along the Hans-Radl-Schulde, it will also be implemented between Simonygasse and Gersthofer Straße, under the S45 bridge. There will be two one-way cycle paths here. This is followed by the section between Paulinengasse and Aumannplatz. A structurally separate two-way cycle path will also be created here. The 520 m long connection between Aumannplatz and Gersthof will be complete by the end of the year. A safe cycle path and numerous new cycle parking facilities will then be available for cyclists in Währing.
Since autumn 2022, cyclists have been coming along the new cycle path on Pötzleinsdorfer Straße and Gersthofer Straße and further along the traffic-calmed cycle route Erndtgasse, Hockegasse, Alsegger Straße and Thimiggasse to Gersthof train station. Coming from the Belt, Schulgasse to Martinstrasse was made bicycle-friendly in 2023, as was the subsequent section from Martinstrasse to Klostergasse and via this to Aumannplatz. Now the last remaining gap between Aumannplatz and Gersthof will be closed, creating the last section for a continuous, attractive and safe radial connection for bicycle traffic in Währing.
Get out of the asphalt: new trees and wider sidewalks
Those on foot in Währing can also look forward to the fact that they will have more space in the future. Seating furniture and drinking fountains along the route provide the opportunity to rest and cool down. By moving parked cars away from the sidewalk and adding new trees and green spaces, walking becomes more attractive. According to the motto “Get out of the asphalt”, 19 new trees will be planted along the streets as part of the renovations. The existing trees along the community building at Währinger Straße 188 – 190 will be connected to continuous greenery. In front of the entrance area of the community building, an attractive lounge area is created with new trees, paving, seating and a drinking fountain.
New traffic organization creates space for cycling and walking
In order to gain the necessary space for cycle paths and greenery, car traffic on Währinger Straße in the section between Aumannplatz and Gersthof will in future be one-way into the city. Following the sidewalk out of town, the two-way cycle path will be built, followed by longitudinal parking regulations with tree locations, the lane for car traffic, again longitudinal parking regulations with tree locations and then the sidewalk on the left side. In order to optimize travel by car in Grätzl, the one-way lanes Weinhauser Gasse and Köhlergasse between Währinger Straße and Gentzgasse will be reversed. At the S45 bridge, the two directions will be separated and created as one-way cycle paths under the bridge. In order to cycle straight out of town into Thimiggasse and thus into the traffic-calmed Gersthofer street network, the one-way Thimiggasse will also be opened to cycle traffic in both directions in this section – this already applies to the rest of Thimiggasse.
Vienna’s big cycle path offensive
The big Vienna cycle path offensive is now in its third year and continues to run at full speed! Every year around 50 projects with 20 kilometers of new cycle paths are launched. The city invests around 20 million euros per year as part of the major cycle path offensive – last year it was a record sum of 35 million euros. The focus of the offensive is on closing important gaps and creating new, continuous cycle connections.
More information at fahrradwien.at
rk-Fotoservice: www.wien.gv.at/presse/bilder
Questions & Contact:
Mag. Anita Voraberger
Media spokesperson, city councilor Mag.a Ulli Sima
Telephone: +43 1 4000 81353
Mobil: 0664/1658655
Email: anita.voraberger@wien.gv.at