News on the Petržalka tram

The pace of work on the Petržalka tram has significantly intensified compared to the period before the summer. This week, for example, 350 workers are assigned to the construction site. The increased pace of the work also means more frequent temporary restrictions and detours of the track, which the construction work requires. This is why we are asking residents to be patient and to take extra care. It is not always possible to inform them about all the temporary changes in advance.

The first section of the Petržalka tram line is already covered by the stonecrop plants, which we began planting about two weeks ago. We have planted the stonecrop over an area of approximately 5,500 square metres, in the section from the bridge near the Holy Family Church all the way to Rusovská cesta. The stonecrop forms the top layer of a permanent carriageway. In addition to helping to absorb noise, it holds water in its leaves, which helps it survive even more demanding droughts or winters and means it does not require regular watering, like a lawn. It is water-retaining and thus humidifies the environment and reduces dust. What’s more, it also looks nice and blooms with colours throughout the season. Overall, such stonecrop will be planted over an area of almost 23,000 square metres and will cover the entire track, aside from bridges, crossings and the turning point at Janíkov Dvor.

One of the most important objects on the construction site these days – the completely new combined crossroads near Rusovská cesta, which also lies on the likewise newly built bridge over the Chorvátsky canal – has proceeded to the next stage. In the past weeks, the structural layers of the road were laid here, the asphalting was completed and this very important crossroads is now partially open for vehicles. The shift of traffic to the new crossroads will enable the demolition of the temporary bypass such that the track connection to the crossroads and its other branches can be completed. Pedestrians for now must use the detour route, but in the coming weeks the pedestrian routes and islands across the new intersection are also due to be completed. We therefore ask residents for their patience and understanding.

Part of the Petržalka track is already flanked by a newly built cycling path. The Petržalka streetcar project puts greater importance on bicycle transport. It includes approximately 6 km of a new separated cycling path, which is predominately led directly along the track and which connects Petržalka, via the Starý most (Old Bridge), with the city centre, thanks to which we can expect to see an increased interest in cycling traffic. This, in turn, will increase the importance of the Starý most as the most important direct transport connection of Petržalka with the city’s Old Town. It smoothly links to the cycling path on Vajanského and Štúrova in the direction of the centre.

Work is also continuing on the new combined stop at Farského, which will fundamentally improve the transfer of passengers between trams and buses and will thus significantly increase the comfort of passengers, who will not have to cover much distance when transferring. New platforms for buses are being built right next to the tram platforms at the site, along with a new pedestrian crossing at the southern end of the stop as well as a turning lane for buses.

The greatest interest, today, however, was clearly sparked by the moving of the anti-tank wall from the period of the Second World War, located in the corridor of the tram line, which many residents watched, starting in the morning. We’re pleased that we were able to complete this project as well, and the wall will be moved alongside the track, just a few metres from its original location. This is a military monument, and we want its historical value to be preserved and for it to remain here for future generations. The dimensions and shape of the anti-tank wall were determined only after the whole underground part of it was uncovered, and a technological process and documentation for moving it a few metres further was elaborated. Consultations on the topic of changing its location were also held with bunker experts in order to preserve the object’s value.

The extension of the Petržalka tram is our primary transport project as well as one of the largest transport projects in Bratislava in recent years. The approximately 4 km of new track will provide a fundamental change in travel, as it will more effectively connect the largest housing estate in Slovakia with the city centre. On the line there will also be 4 new bridges, 9 new intersections, the already mentioned 6 kilometres of new separated cycling path, as well as 33 shelters and additional infrastructure.

We are doing everything we can to ensure that the project of extending the tram line in Petržalka is completed as soon as possible and that in the spring the people of Petržalka will be able to use this tram to the fullest.