Unrest escalates at Mexico Square due to proposed expansion of U3 project
In the heart of Berlin, a heated debate is unfolding over the timeline for a crucial hearing regarding the plan approval procedure for the U3 extension to Zehlendorf's Mexikoplatz. The hearing, scheduled for Monday, July 21st at 9 am in the Audimax of the Free University of Berlin, has sparked concern among local residents and traders who feel that the date was set too quickly and with insufficient public notice.
The BVG, responsible for the extension project, plans to extend the U3 line from U-Bahnhof Krumme Lanke to S-Bahnhof Mexikoplatz by 2030. However, the impending renovation of the S-Bahn bridge at Mexikoplatz is causing further disruptions, including closures, diversions, and traffic jams.
The controversy stems from the short notice given to the public. More than 200 recipients were informed via newsletter, but many feel that this does not provide enough time to review the extensive plans and prepare meaningful feedback. The accelerated schedule, they argue, effectively limits public participation and reduces transparency in a major infrastructure decision that will impact the community.
Hubertus Primus, a member of the citizen initiative "Save the Mexikoplatz," is leading the resistance. He demands that the date be cancelled and a new one set outside the summer holidays with at least three weeks' notice. Primus states that setting the date with only ten days' notice shows a lack of respect and that citizens are being deliberately held back. He also mentions that more than 800 objections to the project have been submitted.
Primus is not alone in his concerns. Residents and traders in the area are also resisting the construction project, citing frustration due to noise, traffic jams, and loss of revenue. They worry that the hearing process is being rushed, preventing a thorough democratic discussion and scrutiny of the U3 extension project.
In response, the BVG claims that the deadline for the invitation was met and that the date was made in compliance with relevant procedural and federal legal norms. The Senate's transport administration has also announced that all written and timely objections will retain their validity and be comprehensively examined and taken into account in the plan approval procedure.
It is important to note that non-participation in the hearing date has no impact on the validity of the written objections submitted within the objection period. Possible follow-up dates have been set during the summer holidays.
The BVG has also stated that there isn't an agenda for the hearing, and they are considering legal action if the hearing is cancelled. This development has further fuelled the debate, with many calling for a fair and transparent process that allows for adequate public participation.
As the hearing date approaches, the community in Zehlendorf continues to voice their concerns, hoping for a more inclusive and thoughtful approach to this significant infrastructure project.
- Despite the ongoing controversy, the BVG aims to complete the U3 line extension project in the transportation sector by 2030, which is part of the broader finance industry's investments in Berlin's infrastructure.
- The heated debate in Berlin's industry and finance sectors revolves around the timing of a crucial hearing regarding the U3 extension project, with concerns being raised about insufficient public notice and limited opportunities for active participation, particularly in the transportation sector.
