Bismarckstrasse (under construction)

Brief info

• Project: Complete renovation, including new sidewalks, parking spaces, trees, and roadways
• Goal: A high-quality city street with a high quality of stay designed as a bicycle street with little car traffic
• Construction period: April 2025 - June 2027

Current

The current construction phase (BA 1.3) between Haßlerstraße and Triebelstraße is expected to be completed at the beginning of June 2026. Work will then continue on the second section (Triebelstraße to Drimborn-/Beverstraße). Unlike originally planned, the construction work will continue from Triebelstraße in the direction of Viktoriaallee (BA 2.3) and Drimborn-/Beverstraße (BA 2.2 and BA 2.3; see also the following diagram).

Map

Occasion and goal

Bismarckstrasse, the central axis in the Frankenberg district, has considerable structural defects and therefore needs to be rebuilt. Regionetz has already renovated the cable systems in advance. The aim of the road reconstruction is to eliminate urban planning weaknesses and improve the quality of life so that Bismarckstrasse, which is also used intensively by pedestrians, can once again be a high-quality street.

The approximately 850-metre-long section between Schlossstraße and Drimbornstraße is part of the priority cycle routes to Brand and Eilendorf. It is already used intensively by cyclists and is one of the most important roads in the cycle network for cyclists. For car traffic, it only has an access function. The parallel Oppenhoffallee is part of the main road network for motor vehicle traffic. There is no regular traffic on Bismarckstraße.

In 2021, it was already decided that, for these reasons, Bismarckstraße would also be converted into a cycle lane, as in the upstream and downstream sections.

On the basis of the relevant resolution of October 31, 2019, the administration has developed various variants of a possible street layout and concepts for reducing vehicle traffic. These variants and the results of the subsequent digital public participation from 27.07.-17.08.2020 were presented to the Aachen-Mitte district council and the mobility committee for information. The preferred variant selected as a result was pursued further in terms of planning. The planning decision was obtained on February 18, 2021.

In April 2022, an online citizen information event was offered on April 5, 2022 and an additional planning walk on April 30, 2022. Suggestions from this are reflected in the current planning for implementation. A first step in the approved overall concept was already implemented in summer 2022 with the cutting of the network at Neumarkt.

Planning

The plan envisages the creation of a cycle lane (with vehicle clearance) in accordance with the optimum dimensions of the standards for the design of cycle lanes in Aachen. The lane width is therefore 4.50 meters plus a 0.75 meter wide safety separation strip from the parked vehicles. The lane of the cycle lane is to be colored red to emphasize the priority of bicycle traffic in accordance with the objectives of the cycling decision. Traffic on the cycle lane should have right of way over the roads leading into it.

The existing intersections are of particular importance in terms of giving priority to bicycle traffic and the desire for a high quality of stay and accessibility.

Wide facilities for pedestrian traffic are planned along the building facades. With a width of at least 4.90 meters, the northern section is an inviting place to stroll. The average width of 3.50 meters (at least 3.20 meters) on the southern side is also generously dimensioned for the traffic system. The remaining four meters in the road cross-section will be used on the right and left along the bicycle lane to provide space for stationary motor vehicle traffic, bicycle parking facilities and new tree locations.

Those interested can find further details in the draft proposal and the presentation (here) for the implementation resolution. The resolution regarding the street design was adopted in December 2023.

Procedure and costs

The implementation planning was revised in accordance with the decision and the requirements of the safety audit were also taken into account. The tender was successfully carried out. A company is ready. Following clarification of the final outstanding points, construction work began in March 2025. The work should be completed in around 26 months, i.e. by June 2027. The conversion will be carried out in individual construction phases so that the road is completed in sections. Detour will be signposted for motor vehicles and cyclists.

The costs of the reconstruction were estimated at around 5.8 million euros due to the extent of the intervention (full expansion of the entire road width). The exact costs can only be quantified from the audited accounts of the contractors once the measure has been completed.

Council info template