Trouble in St. Pölten

After reconstruction, it is now getting tight in front of the elementary school

On the narrow Maria Theresia Strasse, which used to be completely one-way, oncoming traffic is now to be expected.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV)

Pedestrian zone, dead end: the newly created traffic situation is intended to reduce the number of cars in front of the school campus in St. Pölten, but has led to great skepticism among parents and residents. For them, there are now too few parking spaces.

With the start of the new school year, countless parents in St. Pölten have to get used to a new traffic situation. The construction of the new school campus, which also includes the elementary school and kindergarten, should significantly relieve this area. The part of Grillparzerstraße that was previously used as a thoroughfare into Josefstraße has been converted into a pedestrian zone.

Grillparzerstraße has become a pedestrian zone in the area of the school campus.

(Bild: Petra Weichhart, Krone KREATIV)

A look in the face
Maria Theresia-Strasse therefore became a dead end. However, as this is actually a one-way street, this regulation was lifted in the last section and a reversal area was created directly in front of the school. The width of the road has not changed, however, and parking bans have only been used to create a few bays to get out of the way. This meant that on the first day of school, drivers could often look each other in the face.

Although there was no major chaos thanks to the police presence, the joy was limited. For several reasons. Local residents criticized the loss of the already scarce parking spaces, especially in the new pedestrian zone. And parents who take their children to school complain about the lack of "Kiss&Go" spaces.

City refrained from conversion
However, the latter, together with additional parking spaces, were originally planned as part of the reconstruction of Grillparzerstraße. However, because these parking spaces would have been built in the school garden and some trees would have fallen victim to this, the parents' association took to the barricades with the support of the Green Party. With success. The city refrained from rebuilding the street.

Maria Theresia-Straße became a dead end and a turning area was built.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV)

However, the traffic calming itself was never up for debate, as the town hall emphasizes: "The flow of students through the new campus made this necessary." At the same time, it is pointed out that uniform 30 km/h restrictions apply in front of all compulsory schools and kindergartens in the provincial capital. They apply from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. in front of schools on school days and in front of kindergartens on weekdays. "However, it is important that all road users behave responsibly," says a city spokesperson.