Opening of the A100: traffic chaos threatens residents in Treptow!

Opening of the A100: traffic chaos threatens residents in Treptow!

On August 27, 2025, the 16th construction phase of the A100 was ceremoniously opened in Treptow. This measure, which has been under construction for 12 years and has been planned for over 20 years, is intended to improve the connection of the eastern districts of Berlin to the A113. Measuring 3.2 kilometers in length and costing 720 million euros (which equates to over 225,000 euros per meter), this section was an expensive project, but one that received mixed reactions. The district councilors Annika Gerold and Dr. Claudia Leistner has already expressed concerns about this new motorway construction, as the western superstructure of the Elsenbrücke has not yet been completed and substantial traffic relief in the area cannot be guaranteed. The two politicians warn of a possible traffic collapse in the area and emphasize the increased burden on residents under the current conditions.

Gerold, who criticized the fact that the new motorway construction was expensive and outdated, emphasized that the Senate lacked a viable transport concept. It calls for greater consideration of sustainable mobility and infrastructure as well as more space for walking and cycling and priority for local public transport. Dr. Claudia Leistner points to existing traffic jams on Elsenstrasse and Elsenbrücke and expects a comprehensive traffic concept from the Berlin Senate to solve the existing problems.

Traffic concept and resident participation

The criticism of the traffic situation is reinforced by the current traffic figures from the urban development plan for mobility and traffic (StEP MoVe) approved by the Senate. This plan aims to slow the trend towards more vehicle traffic by 2030 and to increase the share of environmental transport (pedestrian and bicycle traffic, buses and trains) in all distances traveled from 74% to 82%. The focus is on strengthening ecological means of transport in order to sustainably improve the quality of life in Berlin. Despite the progress, the goal has actually not yet been achieved.

The opening of the A100 in August was celebrated with a certain reserve. Residents have already expressed concerns about the traffic situation, as the Elsen Bridge is not expected to be completed before 2028. The fear that the new motorway could lead to an increase in traffic volumes remains. A dialogue between the Senate, district and residents was called for to find solutions to noise, traffic jams and air pollution.

Expectations for the future

While the A100 promises better connections to the BER airport and the Adlershof science location and is intended to reduce the traffic on city streets in Alt-Treptow and Neukölln by up to 30 percent, the question remains whether these goals can really be achieved. The public has considerable doubts about the actual traffic relief, especially in view of the ongoing traffic jams on the A100, particularly near the Elsenbrücke construction site. Although the traffic lights should be adjusted to specifically feed traffic, the implementation of these measures is viewed with great skepticism.

In summary, it can be said that the latest construction phase of the A100 not only brings with it infrastructural challenges, but also raises a number of questions regarding Berlin's long-term transport policy. It remains to be seen how those responsible will respond to the legitimate concerns of residents and to what extent sustainable mobility can really be promoted in the city. You can find more information about this in the reports from berlin.de, rbb24.de and berlin.de.