Dammstraße Hildesheim: No celebration for the long-awaited release!

Dammstraße Hildesheim: No celebration for the long-awaited release!

On Thursday, June 26th, the time has finally come: Hildesheimer Dammstrasse will be opened to traffic again after a long dry spell of exactly three calendar and 27 perceived years. But residents and commuters have to forego large celebrations. That's what those responsible in the city administration decided. “No speech, no music, no raffle, no free beer” – that’s how the Hildesheimer Allgemeine sees it reported.

The background to the long closure is extensive canal work during which a historic stone bridge was discovered. This approximately 850-year-old structure is the only surviving medieval stone bridge in northern Germany. To protect it, it was covered by a reinforced concrete slab. The bridge has already been comprehensively documented and information about it will be made available to the public later, as the city of Hildesheim announced here.

Traffic management and new regulations

However, a number of requirements must still be met before release. To ensure smooth operations, the bus stops and bus lanes on Dammstrasse must be clear of parked vehicles in advance. From June 25th, you can expect paid warnings for cars parked illegally. The release also brings with it changes: in the future, vehicle traffic between Dammtor and Johannisstrasse will only be routed over one lane in each direction, while separate protective lanes have been created for cyclists. Cyclists also have the opportunity to either use motorized traffic to turn left or drive safely through the intersection.

The city is using a new traffic management concept aimed at improving cycling. Dammstrasse was re-divided during the closure so that there is at least one protective lane for cyclists and also a red-marked bike parking area when turning into Burgstrasse. As an additional safety aspect, a dividing strip was marked in the northern Dammstrasse to minimize dangers from opening car doors reported.

A look into history

Dammstrasse is another example of how cities are constantly changing and building up historical layers. History and modernity often go hand in hand. There are many cities that appear chaotic at first glance, but upon closer inspection reveal well-thought-out urban planning states the bpb. In this sense, Dammstrasse is not just a traffic route, but a piece of Hildesheim's history, which appears in a new light through the discovery of the stone bridge.

Although the city government has rejected many proposals to celebrate the reopening of Dammstrasse - including the idea of ​​a small parade with archaeologists - the importance of the street to the city remains undisputed. The changes in traffic routing and the rediscovery of a historical heritage will certainly leave their mark in the coming years and continue to shape Hildesheim as a city worth living in.