Congestion in Friedrichshain and Treptow is traced back to the A100 exit
In the heart of Berlin, a noticeable surge in traffic has been observed, particularly on the main streets. This increase is most pronounced on Bouchéstraße, where cycling has become a challenge due to the influx of vehicles. Residents in Kunger-Kiez, especially near the local primary school, have reported a significant rise in through-traffic, making Bouchéstraße a busy thoroughfare.
The congestion isn't limited to Bouchéstraße alone. Bus lines M43 and 194 experience queues of around 150 meters at the intersection of Am Treptower Park, a testament to the city's clogged arteries. The three-lane Elsenstraße at S-Bahnhof Treptower Park has been reduced to one lane, leading to congestion that stretches back to Am Treptower Park.
However, the new A100 exit onto Elsenstraße has thus far only caused minimal additional traffic. Instead, construction work, not the new exit, continues to be the main cause of traffic jams. This includes ongoing construction on Markgrafendamm in Friedrichshain, which has narrowed the road to one lane, causing long tailbacks during peak hours.
District councilor Claudia Leistner has called for the closure of the new A100 section until the bridge is completed, a move aimed at alleviating some of the congestion. Experts suggest that traffic light systems in Elsenstraße need to be adjusted to better control traffic with the new structure.
Looking ahead, the new Elsenbrücke, expected to be completed by 2028, will have three lanes instead of one per direction. This expansion is hoped to ease the traffic flow in the area.
The responsible highway planning commission for the A100 in Berlin and the decisions on the expansion and the new interchange structure at Treptower Park fall under the Senate Department for the Environment, Transport and Climate Protection (Senatsverwaltung für Umwelt, Verkehr und Klimaschutz) of Berlin.
Despite the challenges, on-site observations show that traffic in smaller Kiez streets remains relatively quiet, offering a glimmer of hope for those seeking respite from the city's traffic woes. The completion of the western overpass on Elsenbrücke, originally scheduled for September 2025, is now delayed until mid-October 2025, a step towards improving the city's traffic situation in the near future.
