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Street reconstructions and traffic jams in Belgrade: "I became a walking student"
๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ Serbia /Disasters & Emergencies

Street reconstructions and traffic jams in Belgrade: "I became a walking student"

From N1 Serbia · (7m ago) Serbian Critical tone

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Belgrade is experiencing significant traffic congestion due to simultaneous road construction projects, including tunnel work on Despota Stefana Street and Takovska Street.
  • While Takovska Street has reopened, unfinished sidewalks and bus stops highlight ongoing issues, and the Despota Stefana tunnel project is expected to last until 2027.
  • Citizens express frustration over the lack of timely information and the disruption caused by the overlapping works, with some resorting to walking or using alternative transport.

Belgrade's streets are currently a testament to the challenges of urban development, with a complex web of simultaneous road construction projects causing significant traffic disruptions. The city is grappling with major works, including preparatory phases for a tunnel on Despota Stefana Street and ongoing efforts on Takovska Street. This convergence of large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly during peak hours, has understandably led to widespread frustration among residents who feel uninformed and inconvenienced.

Jer, ako danas neลกto vaลพi, sutra ne vaลพi. Zbog toga sam postala sam ฤ‘ak peลกak.

โ€” Elderly citizenExpressing frustration with the constantly changing public transport routes due to construction, leading her to walk instead.

While Takovska Street has seen some sections reopen, allowing for the return of certain trolleybus lines, the work is far from complete. Unfinished sidewalks and unusable bus stops serve as constant reminders of the ongoing disruption. More critically, the Despota Stefana tunnel project is slated to continue in its first phase until 2027, meaning a significant portion of the roadway will remain closed to general traffic, impacting the daily commutes of thousands. The rerouting of multiple bus lines further complicates travel, forcing drivers and public transport users alike to adapt their routines drastically.

Nismo znali da se promenilo.

โ€” Woman with childExplaining how they ended up on the wrong bus route due to lack of information about route changes.

The sentiment among Belgrade's citizens is palpable: a mix of resignation and exasperation. Many, like the "walking student" interviewed, feel compelled to adapt by simply walking, as the constantly changing public transport routes make planning impossible. Others, like the woman who admitted to taking the wrong bus with her child due to unclear information, highlight the real-world consequences of poor communication. This situation underscores a critical issue often raised by citizens: the perceived lack of timely and transparent information from the authorities regarding the scope and duration of these extensive works. While infrastructure development is necessary, the current approach seems to prioritize construction over the immediate needs and convenience of the city's inhabitants, turning daily commutes into a daily ordeal.

Koristim svoj prevoz, noge i kola.

โ€” Third citizenStating her reliance on personal transport (walking and car) due to the widespread roadworks.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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