The work on Lothringerstraße will continue over the next two weeks and should be completed by the end of April. On Thursday and Friday, March 20 and 21, the roadway between Oppenhoffallee and Wilhelmstraße will be newly marked and the signage renewed. In the week from March 24 to 28, new trees will first be planted. Later, a hedge will be planted in the new planting beds between Alfonsstrasse and Wilhelmstrasse.

Lothringerstraße between Oppenhoffallee and Wilhelmstraße connects the priority cycle routes from the city center to Brand and Eilendorf. On the other hand, another section of the premium footpath from the city center to Frankenberger Park runs here.

New markings and signage

Lothringerstraße will be designated as a bicycle zone in both directions. Aachen does not yet have a bicycle zone. Up to now, the city has mainly relied on cycle lanes. However, it has become apparent that signage as a cycle lane is always very time-consuming, especially when many roads converge over a relatively short distance.

Pedestrians can now cross the access roads to Lothringerstrasse on Alfonsstrasse, Friedrichstrasse and Herzogstrasse at ground level. Cars must drive slowly over ramps and pay even more attention to pedestrians than before. They also have to wait for traffic on Lothringerstraße. In terms of traffic law, the new driveways are equivalent to driveways to properties or garages.

Cyclists can ride in two directions along the entire stretch between Oppenhoffallee and Wilhelmstraße. For cars, the section between Alfonsstraße and Wilhelmstraße will continue to be designated as a one-way street in the direction of Wilhelmstraße. However, cars will only be allowed to turn left at Wilhelmstraße in the direction of Normaluhr, Burtscheid and the main railway station. In future, motorized vehicles will no longer be allowed to turn right into Wilhelmstraße in the direction of Kaiserplatz.

New trees and hedge

A total of 16 new different maple trees will be planted in the area around "Lothringerplatz". Nine of them have large crowns and six have smaller crowns. There will also be a large-crowned tree at the junction with Alfonsstrasse. Trees with a trunk circumference of up to 20 centimetres will be planted along the road, while trees with a circumference of between 25 and 70 centimetres will be planted on the square itself. These trees have a crown diameter of between three and four meters. They are seven to nine meters high. On the section from Alfonsstrasse to Wilhelmstrasse, a hedge will separate the sidewalk from the road in future.

The planting beds for the future trees have been given very large root spaces. This will provide the trees with a habitat that is prepared for the expected change in the urban climate with periods of low rainfall and very hot weather. Mixtures of perennials and ground-covering roses will be planted under the trees.

The construction work on Lothringerstrasse, which began in April 2024, should be completed by the end of April 2025 at the latest. The construction work had been repeatedly delayed because archaeological finds had to be secured first and it repeatedly rained heavily, especially in the second half of the year and at the beginning of this year.

An opening celebration is planned to mark the end of the redesign of Lothringerstrasse. A press conference and a discussion with citizens are planned. The date will be announced in good time.

Internet: www.aachen.de/lothringer_2ba