Strausberger Platz is being rebuilt to become safer

Vehicles stand close together on the junction of Strausberger Platz and Karl-Marx-Allee.

Strausberger Platz, an important traffic junction on Karl-Marx-Allee in Berlin-Friedrichshain, is to be made safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

Senator for Urban Mobility Manja Schreiner (CDU) started the extensive reconstruction project on Wednesday. Work is expected to last until the end of November. According to the Senate Department for Urban Mobility, the intersection will be made barrier-free for blind and visually impaired people as well as for people with walking impairments. In addition, bike lanes will be widened. Traffic light poles will be relocated and traffic lights converted to energy-saving LED technology.

Detection systems for better traffic control

In order to better control all types of traffic around the large traffic circle, 30 detection devices will be installed in the roads - these are systems in the road surface that record the number of cars, for example, and thus control traffic. A separate camera detection system is planned for bicycle traffic. For pedestrians, contactless radar sensors are being tested in a pilot project at traffic lights.

Smoother and safer traffic for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers

"Here at this large intersection with a traffic circle, there have unfortunately been dicey situations time and again. We want to defuse these situations with more space, better visibility and the latest technology," explained Schreiner. "At last, everyone can travel more smoothly and safely around the square - pedestrian as well as bicycle and car traffic."