News from the planning
Here you will find the latest information on our plans for the test site, which will open April, 25, 2024.
Opening of the test site
We will open the test site on April, 25, 2024, at 4 pm marking the start of the 3-month test phase.
Constructions site
February 2024
The frost has subsided and there is a lot of digging and unsealing going on under the viaduct. The stones from the former parking spaces have been removed, cleaned and are now being laid again with open joints. As a result, the existing materials will be reused and the ground under the viaduct will be able to seep away water in future. Our first themed "island" has already been paved and the second is currently underway. In future, these new paved areas will offer plenty of space to linger, make music, repair, meet, learn and much more.
In order to test different surfaces and situations, we are also using small stone paving in a Berlin pattern and combining the existing stones with burnt clinker bricks. The site, which was previously dominated by asphalt surfaces, is changing more and more. From the opening, we want to test and evaluate these different surfaces together. As soon as the paved surfaces have been laid, it will get even busier under the viaduct, as the other trades are already waiting to get started.
Constructions site
January 2024
Despite the cold Berlin winter, the construction work under the viaduct continues with some delays caused by the sub-zero temperatures.
While the construction site is being dug, stones removed, soil cleared and soon paved, we are learning a lot about the natural filtering of water. Together with our project partners (e.g. Stadtmanufaktur at TU Berlin), we are developing a test bed in which reed plants will clean and evaporate rainwater run-off. Incidentally, reed plants evaporate almost five times as much water as lawns and can therefore make a major contribution to water management and improving the climate.
In addition to the work on the ground, a lot is also happening at height. The planning for the lighting of the test site has been finalised and the lamps can soon be installed on the listed viaduct.
Constructions site
December 2023
The listed viaduct pillars were clad and the numerous stones of the car park pockets were removed from the ground to be recycled and reused later. Depending on the weather conditions, the work on the future test site will be adapted. The current aim is to pour the foundations in order to utilise the time without frost. Hopefully the weather will continue to play along so that we can stay on schedule.
We are still in close contact with our partners, e.g. BVG and TU Berlin, to organise the pigeon fencing and to check the irrigation options and install the filter beds.
construction site
June 2023
If there are no delays, the construction site of our test site for the Reallabor Radbahn will open in mid-June. It is located on Skalitzer Straße under the viaduct between the Kottbusser Tor and Görlitzer Bahnhof underground stations.
Invitation to tender
May 2023
We have finalised the bidding documents and the process of awarding contracts to construction companies is currently underway and will be awarded this month. This means that a specification has been drawn up that lists each work step as an individual item and forms the basis for the submission of tenders by specialist gardening and landscaping companies.
Although our construction project only covers around 200 metres, it is complex due to the spatial situation and the diversity of the planned services.
We expect to be able to commission a gardening and landscaping company by the end of the month.
Island concept
The spatial "island concept" was developed last summer as part of the public participation process. There is a so-called interaction island at the Mariannenstraße junction, another island in the centre of the test site is reserved for cyclists - the cycling island.
The space between the three "islands" will be redesigned as a green zone along the entire test site. Various plantings are intended to accompany cyclists in a pleasant way and thus make the urban space greener overall.