From Monday, Linz will make another attempt to create a car-free main square, after a previous pilot project was stopped just two days after it started in July 2020.
The new restrictions will prohibit through traffic, with the southern part of the main square designated as a pedestrian zone and access via Klosterstraße closed to vehicles.
Taxis, public transport, and cyclists will be exempt from the driving ban. Delivery services will be permitted access to the main square between 6:30 PM and 11:00 AM. Meanwhile, the section leading to the Nibelungen Bridge will remain a shared zone, allowing access to disabled parking and a bus stop, although the latter is set to be relocated.
“With the new pedestrian zone, we are taking an important step towards a modern, liveable city. This makes the city centre of Linz more attractive, safer, and inviting for people to linger,” stated Vice Mayor Martin Hajart in a press release.
The decision to implement the new regulation has been “deliberately timed for the beginning of the autumn holidays,” with the expectation of reduced traffic during this period. In 2020, the previous pilot scheme was also initiated during the holiday season. However, it quickly collapsed due to significant traffic congestion caused by the evening rush hour, coupled with a bicycle demonstration on its launch day.