Clash Erupts at Carola's Bridge, Three Parties Equal in Fourth Place Standing
In the heart of this bustling city, the talk of the town revolves around the upcoming bridge reconstruction and the number of lanes it should sport. There isn't a definitive answer yet, but it's clear that most city council members are in favor of a functional design. City planners are determining the number of lanes based on projected traffic flow.
Two to three lanes seem to be the contenders, as the existing bridge sees approximately 30,500 vehicles daily now, which is expected to drop to 23,500 in a decade.
The Social Democrats (SPD) are rooting for a more compact bridge, suggesting it would leave room for a residential quarter near Terrassenufer/Steinstraße. The SPD's councilman, Stefan Engel, thinks a four-lane bridge would be excessively broad with the additional bike path.
In stark contrast, the CDU, FDP, and Team Zastrow have backed the idea of a four-lane bridge, insisting on a "four lanes and an end to the debate," as stated by Holger Zastrow, who is also part of the trio. They believe a high-performance bridge is essential, echoed by Michael Hauck from the FDP.
The CDU is cautious about the city's traffic forecasts and assumes that Dresden is poised for growth, citing industrial settlements in the north. Moreover, they propose considering a lane for autonomous vehicles in the future.
Unfortunately, the trio doesn't yet hold a majority in the city council, so they're holding discussions with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Interestingly, they've already submitted a joint application for a temporary bridge, which was rejected in the council.
The proposed alternative isn't sitting well with environmental associations and Dresden's student council, who have taken to the streets under the slogan "Space for people instead of expensive highways." They're advocating for a two-lane bridge.
On the other hand, the CDU has explored the double-decker bridge option, with CDU leader Heike Ahnert reportedly finding it to be an appealing solution. This design would place car lanes above, while the bike path would run below the roadway. Additionally, it would provide sufficient space for shipping and maintain the sight axis to the old town.
The SPD suggests a more compact bridge design to create a residential quarter near Terrassenufer/Steinstraße, believing a four-lane bridge with an additional bike path would be excessively broad. On the contrary, the CDU, FDP, and Team Zastrow, advocate for a four-lane bridge, considering it essential for the city's projected growth in the industry and finance sectors, and have even proposed a lane for autonomous vehicles in the future.
