Monday, July 14
Karl-Marx-Straße completely renovated after 15 years of construction work
This weekend, many Berliners woke up to something they had never seen before. Children have been born and grown up without ever knowing it; couples have met, got married, and broken up; immigrants have come and gone; shops and restaurants opened and closed – and none of them have ever experienced a world without construction on Karl-Marx-Straße. All that is now at an end. After 15 years of ongoing work, the renovation of Karl-Marx-Straße is complete.
The renovation actually took longer than the (famously delayed, corrupt, and mismanaged) construction of BER airport, setting a new record in Berlin for its duration. On Saturday, Neukölln district mayor Martin Hikel (SPD) marked the occasion on his Instagram page: “Since yesterday, many people in the district and the city have been missing a very beloved institution – namely our construction site on Karl-Marx-Straße.” He joked, “Entire generations have practically grown up with it.”
The renovation ran over schedule, having originally been slated for completion in 2021. Over the years, the Baustelle moved through Neukölln, travelling – just like many of its gentrifying residents – from north to south. It wasn’t just the street itself but also the U-Bahn beneath it that received a makeover. Throughout the 15 years of work, Karl-Marx-Straße remained one of the most congested roads in Berlin.
So, what can residents expect from their newly renovated street? More spacious pavements, a cycle lane, and a slight reduction in space for cars. However, for those hoping that the days of construction sites are entirely behind them, a note of caution: Karl-Marx-Platz is due to undergo work this autumn. That project, however, is expected to be completed next year – not in another 15.
