The Tashkent city administration, as promised, is planning to install surface pedestrian crossings with traffic lights instead of underground passages at the central Amir Temur Square. The Capital Traffic Management Center (CTMC) has presented the initial version of the project.

The implementation will take into account the flows of cars and public transport, pedestrian routes, and the prospective development of areas around this important city hub, the statement said.

In late March, Gazeta called for the return of surface crossings, as was the case before 2010. The project to 'humanize' access to the square was announced back in 2018.

Four 'zebra' crossings with traffic lights will be organized. Currently, there are no traffic lights at these locations. Source: CTMC.

Paid parking along the Law University and other areas will be retained.

According to CTMC calculations, optimizing the traffic scheme will increase the capacity of the ring road around the square 'from 5,600 to 6,000 vehicles per hour while simultaneously reducing conflict points.'

The city administration's press service told Gazeta that the project will be refined. In particular, a dedicated bus lane should pass around the square, which will further narrow the excessively wide roadway for cars.

The day before, the administration also announced plans for the comprehensive development of Sayilgoh Street and adjacent areas.

Gazeta hopes that the authorities will take all opinions into account and publish detailed project specifications for discussion before implementation, so that the center of Tashkent truly becomes a human-friendly space.

Urbanist Arkady Gershman's proposal for organizing pedestrian crossings around the square. Illustration: Eldos Fazilbekov / Gazeta (2018).

Source: www.gazeta.uz