Viktoria Bridge Slowed traffic and four accidents since May

Bonn · Traffic is tight on the Viktoria Bridge due to narrow lanes imposed by construction work. Police report four accidents but don’t see a significant climb.

Police spokesperson Frank Piontek says there have been four accidents on the Viktoriabrücke (Viktoria Bridge) since a construction zone was erected there at the end of May. The bridge is being renewed and replaced in steps. The most serious accident was on Sunday evening when two Mercedes vehicles collided in a head-on crash, leaving a 32-year-old driver hospitalized, and a 21-year-old driver and his two passengers with minor injuries. Damage was estimated at 20,000 euros. Police believe the younger driver entered the construction zone at too high a speed.

At the beginning of June, there was another accident involving a scooter, and a week ago there was a rear end collision at the end of the construction zone. Police say there was also an accident a short time ago at the junction of the bridge and Bornheimer Straße. Still, Piontek says there is not a significant climb in accidents due to the construction zone.

Undisputed is that crossing the bridge for bicyclists is dangerous as they ride side by side with cars in very narrow lanes. There has not yet been an accident involving a cyclist, however. “This is a sign that drivers are very respectful of the bicyclists,” noted Piontek. Because the bridge goes uphill, bikers are normally going slowly and this causes traffic to back up in Bornheimer Straße. A solution to the problem is difficult due to the complexity of the construction.

Axel Mörer-Funk of the German Cycle Club, ADFC said he recommended to the City of Bonn that they use the sidewalk for bikes during the construction period. He also suggests bikers use alternative routes, for example the underpass at the end of Endenicher Straße. “The underpass is the safest option,” he says. But he also believes that the City should clean the underpass with a steam cleaner and enlarge the wheel rail along the steps. “The bridge is in poor condition and needs to be replaced. That means everyone who uses it for transportation has to live with compromises,” comments Mörer-Funk.

Deputy spokesperson for the City, Marc Hoffman says Bonn has agreed to do the cleaning of the underpass and they are checking into the bike wheel rails. If necessary, those will be exchanged. Using the sidewalk for both pedestrians and bikes, however has been ruled out as it is too narrow. (Orig. text: Lisa Inhoffen, Jens Kleinert)

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