Construction commences at a massive scale in Braunschweig, with a palpable sense of discontent emerging from the start.
In the heart of Braunschweig, the bustling Casparistraße is currently undergoing significant changes. The Hagenmarkt, a key area within the street, is being transformed into a "new, attractive jewel for the city center" as planned by Mayor Dr. Thorsten Kornblum. However, the construction has brought about a series of challenges for residents, shop owners, and visitors alike.
The most pressing issue is the safety of pedestrians. With only one pedestrian crossing over a 500-meter stretch, pedestrians are often forced to cross between moving cars, causing concern. To alleviate this, the city plans to install three pedestrian traffic lights and additional ramps, particularly for people using rollators and wheelchairs.
The construction has also made navigating the area difficult, with some businesses, like Matthias Katschmareck's Sewing Center with repair service, finding it hard to direct customers to their stores. The labyrinth-like pedestrian movement due to construction, combined with insufficient signage, has caused frustration and anger among residents and shop owners.
Cyclists too, have expressed confusion due to a traffic sign designed to guide bicycle traffic safely and clearly. To address this, improvements will be made to the signage for easier distinction of arrows, and an alternative solution is being developed.
Another concern is the accessibility for people with mobility impairments. The current lack of ramps and poorly designed road markings have been identified as issues. The city acknowledges these problems and is taking steps to rectify them.
The construction has also brought about a cockroach infestation in some buildings, including upper floors of residences, causing frustration among inhabitants. The city continues to plan for creating a new, attractive jewel for the city center at Hagenmarkt, while asking for understanding, acknowledging that significant disruptions are unavoidable during construction.
Bernd Schroers, spokesperson for the Interest and Advertising Community Casparistraße, sees major shortcomings in the planning of the construction. Poor signage, lack of ramps for mobility-impaired people, and complicated conditions for delivery vehicles are some of the issues identified.
Some business owners fear noticeable losses in turnover due to the construction. The mood in the city center remains tense due to the perceived chaos caused by the construction. Despite these challenges, the city continues to work towards improving the area and ensuring the safety and convenience of all its visitors.
For more details about the local problems faced by residents and the vehicles allowed to drive through Casparistraße, readers are encouraged to refer to the "Braunschweig Newspaper".
