Karlsruhe Approves New Construction, Extension And Automation Of The Turmbergbahn

Mayor Dr. Frank Mentrup puts safety, recreational value and accessibility on Karlsruhe's local mountain first

"There has been traffic chaos on the Turmberg for years: the new construction, extension and automation of the Turmbergbahn gives us the opportunity to develop new solutions. We can take the time to discuss this in detail and with an open mind with everyone involved. Accessibility for everyone, safety and the protection of people and nature must be the priority." With these words, the Lord Mayor of Karlsruhe, Dr. Frank Mentrup's statement that the road traffic on Karlsruhe's local mountain can be redesigned after the renewal and extension of the Turmbergbahn. "The current situation is often unsatisfactory for residents, restaurants and their guests and for many visitors to the Turmberg,

In its meeting on April 26, 2022, the Karlsruhe municipal council decided to initiate the corresponding planning approval procedure. In doing so, he created a prerequisite for the funicular railway between Karlsruhe-Durlach and the Turmberg to be renewed and extended to the terminus of line 1. The renewal is necessary because the operating license for the railway, built in 1888, expires in October 2022. Among other things, the previous railway does not meet the legal requirements for fire protection and accessibility.

If the new Turmbergbahn connects Karlsruhe-Durlach with the popular viewing platform, then questions that have been unanswered for decades would have to be reconsidered: How can parking spaces be overloaded and uncontrolled parking at peak times, such as on many summer evenings or on New Year's Eve, be prevented? How can loud performances by the auto poser scene on the Turmberg be stopped? And how can the visit of the gastronomy, the sports school Schöneck, but also the allotments and the residential buildings be ensured? The city administration will address these questions during further planning.

Lord Mayor Dr. Frank Mentrup emphasizes: "If we come to more sustainable solutions for accessibility, safety and quality of stay through the possibilities of the new Turmbergbahn, we can also make an important contribution to nature, landscape and climate protection. This project does this through the aspect of securing the future of a mobility offer so exciting and sustainable."

"Citizens, local residents and other residents will be involved in the development of a future concept," emphasizes Mentrup. In the further development of the traffic concept, the city will also address many complaints that have been made to the city administration about the parking situation and the Poser trips.