Niš: Over 500 Citizen Objections Against Overpass Construction Rejected

Residents of Niš, Serbia, are fiercely opposing the construction of a horseshoe-shaped overpass in Borska Street, with over 500 objections submitted to the Pantelej municipality's General Development Plan. Urban planners have rejected these objections, sparking outrage among citizens who fear the project will endanger their health and safety.

Local residents argue that the proposed overpass, intended for a future railway bypass, would merely shift international rail traffic from one densely populated area to another. They express grave concerns about the health and safety risks posed by freight trains passing through the Pantelej neighborhood. Furthermore, they point out that the horseshoe design would necessitate the demolition of numerous homes and create a dangerous situation where vehicles could fall onto roofs during winter.

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the horseshoe-shaped overpass would be a completely nonsensical traffic solution.

Dragana Milutinović, an attorney and resident, described the overpass as a "completely nonsensical" traffic solution. She cited traffic engineers who believe the steep slopes and sharp curves of the proposed "slide" would be unsuitable for cars, vans, buses, ambulances, or sanitation vehicles. Milutinović also contested the notion of a true bypass, stating the current plans simply reroute the railway through another populated zone.

Representatives from the Urban Planning Institute, however, maintain that the overpass is an optimal solution for traffic safety. They assert that the gradients meet legal standards, dedicated lanes are planned for all traffic types, and travel times will minimally increase. They also noted that the railway's route through Pantelej has been part of city plans since 1953, with subsequent planning documents adhering to the same course.

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The gradients meet the legally prescribed values, separate areas are planned for all types of traffic, with minimal extension of travel time for all traffic participants.