Vienna is considered as example for intelligent mobility solutions in Europe. But even there are problems with the implementation of the transport turnaround. On the one hand, the city wants to grow sustainably and secure the high standard of living, on the other hand, reduce car traffic.
One of the most radical measures:
City of Vienna introduced a uniform parking management with a fee required residents' parking ticket, called “pickerl”.
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The result:
More people are forced to switch to the public transport. According to the administration, this will avoid up to 8,000 car journeys per working day and reduce the number of parking violations.
Positive side effect:
Fewer parking violations and people looking for parking spaces, public transport system moves faster.
Issue Lobautunnel
Nevertheless, the city needs new roads. A particularly challenging project is the completion of the north-east bypass, including a city road and new suburban railway line. The bypass should not only divert through traffic past the city, but also have a positive effect on the accessibility of the new district “Seestadt”, which has been planned for many years.
Lobau, part of the Danube floodplain near Vienna
The implementation of the project is being held up due to a political conflict. The political issue is the construction of a tunnel under the lobau, a Vienna floodplain on the northern side of the Danube, an ecologically highly sensitive area. Proponents see the construction of the tunnel as an unavoidable investment in the city's infrastructure, closing the last gap in the highway ring around Vienna and reduce congestion. Opponents want to prevent the destruction of nature.
One of the supporters is Josef Taucher, SPÖ club chairman in the Vienna City Council and State Parliament. We meet him in the Vienna City Hall in the 1st district of Vienna.
For the politician, the construction of the north-east bypass is indispensable:
fr. l. Gerrit Reichel, EAC; Josef Taucher, SPÖ Wien;
Günther Schweizer, ARBÖ
The construction project is an important mobility artery that covers people's basic need for mobility, an important infrastructure measure, not only a car traffic measure. For a good life, there will still be a need for roads in the future.
Josef Taucher
SPÖ Vienna
But there`s a snag:
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The federal government, above all the federal minister herself, has obstructed the process, complains Taucher. He is referring to the Minister of Transport, Leonore Gewessler, a prominent supporter of the counter-movement. Gewessler announced a review of all road construction projects in the state.
Result:
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The road project is not being pursued and has been on hold since then.
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What happens next? - unclear.
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Clear is the position of Dir. Günther Schweizer, Managing Director of ARBÖ Vienna and EAC-Vice-President:
No political disputes at the expense of residents and motorists.
The tunnel should be built as soon as possible and not delayed by political calculations.
