Traffic chaos around Elsenbrücke: Districts are calling for quick solutions!

Traffic chaos around Elsenbrücke: Districts are calling for quick solutions!

The traffic situation around the Elsenbrücke in Berlin has become significantly worse, especially since the 16th section of the A100 went into operation. As the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district office announced in a recent press release, daily complaints from citizens about traffic jams and almost standstill public transport are putting a lot of strain on residents. On September 12, 2025, the district councilors Dr. Claudia Leistner from Treptow-Köpenick and Annika Gerold from Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg in the Treptow town hall to develop solutions.

The meeting brought together representatives of the Senate Department for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and the Environment (SenMVKU), both district offices, the BVG, the passenger association IGEB, FUSS e.V., ADFC Berlin and the police. The aim was to find short-term measures to relieve the traffic situation during the ongoing construction work on the Elsenbrücke. This construction work is part of the expansion of the A100, which is well underway.

Measures for traffic calming

The SenMVKU has ordered a new traffic routing and commissioned the revision of the light signal systems in intersection areas and on the motorway exit. Agreed measures for short -term improvement include:

• Zusätzlicher Schutz des Bussonderfahrstreifens mit Protektionselementen (Leitboys)
• Überprüfung der Verkehrsführungen für den Radverkehr
• Prüfung eines Bussonderfahrstreifens in der Puschkinallee
• Überprüfung der Verkehrsführung am Knotenpunkt Bouchéstraße/Puschkinallee/Am Treptower Park

A follow-up appointment in two weeks will be used to evaluate the situation and the measures implemented. The district councilors have emphasized the need for a protected special bus lane and a quick adjustment of the traffic signals.

Opening of the A100 and outlook

The A100 extension between Neukölln and Treptower Park was only officially opened on Wednesday after construction work lasted over 12 years. With a length of 3.2 kilometers and a cost of 720 million euros, the new route is intended to relieve pressure on residents and enable better connections between the eastern districts and the A113. Accessibility to Berlin-Brandenburg Airport (BER) and the Adlershof science location will also be improved by the new infrastructure.

However, there are already critical voices on the actual traffic relief. Residents and district councilor Claudia Leistner express concerns about the intensifying traffic situation, especially as long as the Elsen Bridge is not completed. This is expected to be completely usable only after 2028, while the new half of the bridge is already planned for December 2025. Dubious forecasts state that the traffic jams could increase despite the expansion on the A100, since the construction sites on the Elsenbrücke are identified as one of the main causes for the traffic problems.

Long-term transport policy in Berlin

In order to counter the challenges of traffic development in Berlin, the Urban Development Plan Mobility and Transport (Step Move) was decided in 2021. This pursues the goal of slowing down the trend towards more car traffic and instead to strengthen the use of buses, railways, bicycles and pedestrian traffic. The increase in the environmental association is to be increased from 74 % to 82 % by 2030, whereby motorized individual traffic should decrease.

This strategic framework for action aims to promote socially just, ecologically justifiable and economically sensible mobility. In the medium term, Berlin is even planning a zero emissions zone into which only vehicles with environmentally friendly drives are allowed to enter. This should not only increase the quality of life, but also make a sustainable contribution to climate protection.

For questions you will reach the media representatives on 030 90298-2843 or by email presse@ba-fk.berlin.de.

Further information can be found in the press release berlin.de, as well as the A100 extension rbb24.de and the step mov berlin.de.