A new entrance to the city park is being built at the railway viaduct
Redesign begins after completion of the work by Deutsche Bahn
The plans for the redesign of the area surrounding the railway viaduct at the junction of Annaberger Straße and Reichsstraße are now available. Immediately after Deutsche Bahn AG has completed the renovation of the viaduct, the city of Chemnitz will extend the city park in this area. As an intervention area for the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025, the work is being carried out under the motto "City by the River". The aim is to create new leisure and recreational opportunities and strengthen the identity of the neighbourhood.
A central element of the redesign is the new entrance to the city park. It is intended to make access easier and more inviting. The park is to be transformed into a meeting place for all age groups with a range of facilities for lingering. The viaduct itself will be staged and emphasised as an architectural element.
The walking and cycle path connections are to be improved in order to increase mobility and accessibility within the urban area. An asphalted cycle path will connect the pedestrian and cycle bridge with Beckerstrasse, while a park path will also provide a link to the city park. These paths in the western part of the park will lead to viewing and information points. In the eastern part of the park, a new path with a small square will be created, which will include a seating sculpture made from an old bridge element and an area for a future work of art.
Special highlights of the redesign are the viewing and information points. The northern viewing point will be raised and offer an unobstructed view of the viaduct and the city of Chemnitz. This "balcony" will be framed with historical balusters and a new railing.
Bicycle racks will be installed at the southern recreation area. Information boards in both areas will provide visitors with interesting details about the viaduct.
Three seating sculptures made from former bridge elements and the salvaged kilometre stones from the railway line, which are placed at the forks in the path, give the site a special character. The embankments will be landscaped and large areas planted with wild flowers and trees. Gaps in the edge of the forest will be closed with new plantings.
The planned redesign is intended to create an ecologically valuable area that creates a link between nature and urban space.
Background:
The 30 intervention areas are the city of Chemnitz's urban development project for the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 and are being created throughout the city. The railway viaduct is part of the "Stadt am Fluss" project, which is revitalising urban areas along the Chemnitz river: Auftakt an der Quelle, Stadtpark - ehemaliges Flussbad, Stadtpark - am Wehr, Bahnviadukt, Uferpark - Industriegeschichte am Fluss.
As the owner, Deutsche Bahn AG originally planned to demolish the historic railway viaduct and replace it with a new one, but Chemnitz citizens successfully campaigned to preserve it. The viaduct thus became a symbol of civic engagement.