Essential transport connection to the newly emerging Nová Zbrojovka
Transport convenience for Nová Zbrojovka and its surroundings
Comfortable transport links from all directions are an inseparable part of the Nová Zbrojovka development plan. At each stage of construction, we always count on a certain mix of apartments, offices, civic amenities and space for services and shops, as well as their necessary technical provision, so that each of the subdivisions of the developed area is fully functional and comfortable for residents.
Construction of Nová Zbrojovka starts from the south, so the key transport connection for us is Šámalová Street, preparations for which will begin at the beginning of June. This connection will provide us with high-quality transport coverage for the first 2 stages of the development of the area even before the final approval of the first apartment blocks that we’re starting to build this year. The reconstructed Šámalova Street will be followed in the future by a new city avenue with a width of 28 m, which will connect the southern and northern parts of the district and thus provide the basis for connecting traffic at the other end of Nová Zbrojovka. We have two more major transport links planned in this area. Connection to the large ring road from Tomkovo náměstí in Husovice, including the implementation of a new bridge over the Svitava River, the first bridge in 60 years! More pressing for our future development, however, is the north-east connection from Markéta Kuncová Street, which will provide a connection to the large ring road and, together with the southern connection from Šámalova Street, will guarantee a good quality transport spine and the dispersal of traffic, leading to long-term sustainable transport infrastructure in this area.
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| Entrance to Nová Zbrojovka via Lazaretní Street | View of the southern part of Nová Zbrojovka, which is being developed first |
Reconstruction of 300 m of Zábrdovická Street, including tram lines
The largest brownfield site in Brno, which we’re transforming and developing, is of course intended to serve future residents, but no less important for us is the contribution of the new revitalised space for the surrounding area and its residents and entrepreneurs. Our goal is to use the essential transport and other technical provisions of Nová Zbrojovka in a way that benefits the whole area.
In this spirit we’re also approaching the project to revitalise the Zábrdovická – Šámalova area. To be frank, our original idea was to reconstruct only part of Šámalova: between Zábrdovicka and Lazaretni streets. For our purposes, this would have been sufficient and the reconstruction of this less-than 200 m of road significantly easier. And, it must be emphasised, this would have involved significantly less traffic restrictions for the surrounding area. However, after discussing the project with the City of Brno and elaborating a traffic masterplan for the area, we began to see the project in a broader context and agreed to include the reconstruction of 300 m of road and tramway on Zábrdovická Street between the public transport stops of Vojenská nemocnice (Military Hospital) and Kuldova. This will build on the city’s 2019 project to soundproof the Cejl – Zábrdovická tram line, which also included the reconstruction of the road from Cejl to the Vojenská nemocnice (Military Hospital).
Our plan for Nová Zbrojovka, as a 15-minute neighbourhood especially for pedestrians and cyclists, does not mean we underestimate conditions for convenient car transport and parking. As they say: “Hope for the best and expect the worst.” So we’re prepared for any situation and we’ve given ourselves some leeway over the statutory regulations defining the shape of roads and parking with regard to the number of future users. The reconstruction of the given section of Šámalova will thus give rise to a generous road with access from Zábrdovická Street with its own lane.
Let’s also acknowledge a temporary drawback to the scheme. A necessary part of the reconstruction will also be the shifting of the tram line, which will cause its closure during construction work (we expect during the summer of 2025); but assess for yourself, a few months of restrictions will bring a more comfortable and sustainable solution in the long run. Does that make sense to you, too?
More greenery and space for cyclists
A sensitive topic in the revitalisation of the given space is the space in front of the Municipal Spa, designed by Brno architect Bohuslav Fuchs. And unfortunately, as a result of the project, intervention in this area has been necessary, most painful of which was the felling of 3 mature poplar trees, which already took place in March. Yes, these inevitable interventions are a genuine annoyance. We’re not indifferent and we always try to look for alternatives, but unfortunately we did not find another solution here. This spurs on our commitment to the consistent revitalisation of the Zbrojovka brownfield – originally a “dead” area, after the planned transformation it will be almost a third green. The main green area is planned around the Svitava River in the form of a sports-relaxation park covering two hectares. Another significant concentration of greenery in the form of smaller trees (to provide shade and space for sitting and relaxing) right up to mature plane trees will then be conceived in the central part, in the more than hectare-sized square. Tree-lined streets are also envisaged in all streets.
Along with construction of a new broadened road in Šámalov, this area will also be cleared of decaying industrial buildings, illegal parking spaces, the revitalisation of entrances and the planting of (currently non-existent) greenery. It’s also essential to create sufficient space for pedestrians and to link up with a cycle path. The result will be a functional, integrated space for cars, cyclists and pedestrians, which will also improve the area and make it more aesthetically pleasing.
Traffic in Židenice won’t be such hell!
Let’s go over the schedule and see that it won’t be as horrible as some people say. The project should be launched by June this year. Two construction seasons are planned for implementation (April–November), so we expect final completion by December next year.
This year, only Šámalova Street (the section between Zábrdovická and Lazaretní streets) will be reconstructed, without major traffic restrictions. Next year, the revitalisation of 300 m of Zábrdovická Street between the Vojenská nemocnice (Military Hospital) and Kuldova public transport stops will begin. This phase will also include the aforementioned relocation of the tram line, necessary to create a new turning lane that will ensure smooth traffic flow in future. During this period (we expect the holidays of 2025), we will probably have to prepare for the temporary closure of the tramlines in this section and associated traffic restrictions.
We hope that all of us, considering the outlined outcome and benefits, will take these limitations in our stride.
