RWTH: Major construction site Turmstrasse
The Turmstraße bridge as part of the federal highway 1a will be demolished shortly and replaced by a new one. According to an expert opinion and an economic feasibility study (commissioned by the city of Aachen), the bridge from 1971 cannot be renovated. This cut in the flow of traffic will have far-reaching consequences for RWTH Aachen University and its families, as well as for all road users.
At its meeting on February 17, 2022, the council’s mobility committee approved the recommendations of the municipal administration regarding the diversion of traffic. From May 2, 2022, Turmstraße between Professor-Pirlet-Straße and Classenstraße will be closed in both directions. In addition, according to the city of Aachen, the Geschwister-Scholl-Straße will be completely closed from May 2nd to June 30th, 2022 and then reopened exclusively for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Rail traffic between Westbahnhof and Schanz station must be interrupted from May 13th from 9 p.m. to May 27th, 2022 due to the demolition work. According to Deutsche Bahn AG, rail traffic from Düsseldorf/Mönchengladbach in the direction of Aachen ends in Herzogenrath. A rail replacement service to Aachen is offered there.
Urban planning envisages large-scale traffic management. In the Alleenring, the direct bypass via Classenstrasse, Seffenter Weg, Mies-van-der-Rohe-Strasse and Professor-Pirlet-Strasse will be possible in both directions. The Templergraben remains closed in the course of the real laboratory and is initially not part of the diversion concept. The option of opening at a later date remains.
These significant interventions in the flow of traffic will have far-reaching consequences for the RWTH, there will be limited accessibility of buildings, longer distances and times for footpaths, bicycle traffic, cars and public transport must be planned within and to the university. The RWTH is not involved in the construction measures, but is in close contact with the city to keep restrictions as low as possible and to communicate them as quickly as possible.