Construction of Karlsfelder Straße in Munich faces more setbacks due to changes in the drainage system.
In the heart of Munich, the expansion of Karlsfelder Street, a narrow stretch that runs through the Ludwigsfelder settlement, has been a topic of discussion for decades. The section, devoid of sidewalks or barriers, has been a cause for concern among residents due to traffic safety issues.
Andreas Schwanzer, a local resident, often walks along Karlsfelder Street to the bus stop at Opalstraße. He has experienced near-misses with oncoming traffic, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The desire for change is not only felt by residents. Ingo Trömer, the spokesperson for the city's planning department, has also emphasised the need for expansion. The city council decided to draw up a zoning plan for Karlsfelder Street in 2013, which provides for a partial relocation of the route.
The project, however, has faced several hurdles. Legal disputes with a neighbour delayed the project, but an agreement was reached in 2019. The bridge over the Schwabenbach, now a listed monument, has also required changes to the plans.
The delay in the project is primarily due to adjustments in dewatering. The specific details of these adjustments were not disclosed by Trömer, but he stated that the new involvement of authorities and the public can go faster, as the planners only need to fine-tune the street dewatering.
The authorities involved in finer regulation of wastewater related to the expansion of Karlsfelder Straße in Munich include the local municipality (Gemeinde Karlsfeld) and regional planning bodies such as the Government of Upper Bavaria (Regierung von Oberbayern). Further actions required to establish building rights by end of 2025/start of 2026 would typically involve finalising planning approvals, securing all necessary permits including wastewater management, and ensuring compliance with regional infrastructure plans.
Bettina Obersojer (CSU) emphasises that the residents should be relieved as soon as possible. The start of construction was planned for 2024, but the project remains in limbo. The citizen participation process for the expansion was underway, and Trömer hopes that with the fine-tuning of the street dewatering, they can establish building rights by the end of 2025/beginning of 2026.
The expansion of Karlsfelder Street in Munich, a project that has been planned for a significant amount of time, continues to be a point of interest for residents and authorities alike. With the new involvement of authorities and the public, there is hope that the project will finally move forward, ensuring traffic safety and providing a much-needed update to the aging infrastructure.
