Large plane tree planted in middle of Augustenstraße as first phase of redesign nears completion

A large plane tree has been planted in the middle of Augustenstraße in Maxvorstadt, at the junction with Gabelsbergerstraße, as the redesign of the street continues. The section between Gabelsbergerstraße and Theresienstraße is closed to motor traffic until 7am on Friday 30 October for the final asphalt works. The city's building department describes this full closure, lasting a few days, as an exception that allows the work to progress quickly and economically.

The planting was attended by Mayor Mona Fuchs, head of the building department Dr.-Ing. Jeanne-Marie Ehbauer, head of the mobility department Georg Dunkel and Svenja Jarchow-Pongratz, chair of the Maxvorstadt district committee. Under the mobility department's plans, the stretch between Gabelsbergerstraße and Theresienstraße will become a traffic-calmed shopping area with a 20 km/h speed limit. The tree stands between the traffic lanes, where it is visible from a distance and signals to road users that the street is changing and they should adjust their speed.

Dr.-Ing. Ehbauer said almost half of the redesign had been completed and the first construction phase would finish at the end of the year as planned. The site equipment will be removed for several months over the winter break, and work on the second half of the project will begin next spring. Mayor Fuchs said she was aware that businesses had to put up with considerable disruption during the works and thanked them for their patience and understanding.

As part of the project, the building department is widening the pavements, which will also allow local businesses to apply for more outdoor seating areas. In total, 36 new benches and 192 additional bicycle parking spaces, including ten for cargo bikes, are being installed along Augustenstraße. A pilot project is also improving crossings at selected junctions without traffic lights or zebra crossings. At Steinheilstraße, a crossing has been created with a lowered, step-free section for people using wheelchairs, walking frames or pushchairs, and a section that blind and partially sighted people can detect with a long cane.

All existing street trees will be retained. Including the plane tree, 17 new climate-resilient trees are being planted between Brienner Straße and Görresstraße, and further areas are being unsealed and ecologically improved. Mr Dunkel said the redesign would greatly improve the quality of the street as a place to spend time and would significantly reduce the frequent conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists. Ms Jarchow-Pongratz said she was confident that many Maxvorstadt residents would continue to support the shops and restaurants on Augustenstraße while the works are under way.