Diversion of five lines due to construction work in Berneicher Square

Dresden. The tracks at Pirnaischer Platz were completely renovated just 13 years ago – but now two frequently used switches on the Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe (DVB) need to be replaced. From Monday to November 16, commuters will have to prepare for serious changes in the road network. But construction also has consequences for drivers.

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Why is there a need to work again after 13 years?

Every day, several hundred trams run along the tracks at Berneischer Platz. This also includes the tram on line 12, which leaves here and heads towards Grunaer Straße. Particular emphasis has been placed on two switches: the switch that allows you to turn from Grunaer Straße towards the Town Hall – and the switch that takes the turn from the direction of the Town Hall on the road to Straßburger Platz. “Up to 400 trams pass here every day,” says Danilo Böhme, head of track maintenance at DVB. In addition to the trains on Line 12, there are also trains on Lines 1, 2 and 4, which cross Berneischer Platz in a west-east direction. The high level of stress is taking its toll: the key tabs are now so low that action must be taken.

Where exactly is the track built?

There’s a special feature about one of the two switches: the tram actually only stops through the tight curve towards City Hall shortly before stopping. However, the actual key is actually located on Grunaer Straße at the level of the so-called Assi high-rise building. From there, a double track – grooved rails next to each other on the left and right – leads across Berneicher Square to the actual intersection, where the double gullies split. This has the advantage that the railway does not block the entire crossing if the switch has to be set manually, explains expert Danilo Boehm. In the opposite direction, the switch is installed directly at the intersection – which is why construction workers have to replace one switch directly at Pirnaischer Platz and the other at Grunaer Straße.

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What exactly is done on the tracks?

Builders will replace the two switches starting next Monday. The carrier’s employees have already assembled it at Rick’s – so it just has to be installed on site. At Grunaer Straße, the geometry of the track will be slightly changed, reducing the pressure on the new switch. At the same time, point heaters and adjusting devices are replaced. The bottom line is that the work costs about 200 thousand euros.

Which lines are affected and to what extent?

Due to construction work, changes will be made to the line network from Monday at 4 a.m. until November 16 at 3 a.m. Lines 1, 2, 4, 10 and 12 are affected. Stopover service cannot be provided at Altmarkt during operation. DVB now consciously selects the route – so traffic can move smoothly, especially during Advent.

• Line 1 It runs between Comeniusplatz and Berneischerplatz via Fischerplatz, Sachsenallee, Bauzner-/Rotenburgstrasse, Albertplatz and Karolabrück.

• Lines 2 and 4 Rerouting will take place between Straßburger Platz and Postplatz via Lennéstraße, Lennéplatz, Hauptbahnhof Nord and Dr.-Külz-Ring.

• Line 10 Receives a short line. From the trade fair, the road goes only to Straßburger Platz and from there on line 12 to Striesen.

• Line 12 will be shared. In the east of the city, route “12” runs from Striesen to Straßburger Platz and then continues as line 10 to the trade fair. In the west, trams run from Leutewitz to Postplatz and terminate at the Webergasse track loop.

What should drivers prepare for?

For track makers to be able to work on the switch on Grunaer Straße, they need space – for example for technology or deliveries, explains Danilo Böhm. For this purpose, the left lane on Grunaer Straße will be closed during work in this area – daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The administration set closing times so that the movement of cars in the center would not slow down during rush hour traffic. On the other hand, large-scale construction and conversion works on five tram lines will take about three days longer, according to DVB. And: The barrier must be erected and removed again every day with great effort.

DNN