An expansion of the cycle superhighway network and an S-train express tunnel between Copenhagen Central Station and Hellerup are among the recommendations for infrastructure projects recommended by the municipalities in the greater Copenhagen area and the Capital Region of Denmark. Photo The Cycle Superhighway Collaboration.
Overcrowded commuter trains, delayed buses and narrow cycle paths are already a reality for many citizens. According to a mobility analysis received earlier this year by all municipalities in the greater Copenhagen area, the Capital Region of Denmark, and the City of Copenhagen, the challenges are expected to increase heading towards 2035.
The number of daily journeys in the greater Copenhagen area is expected to rise by 800,000, and the noise nuisance will spread to even more homes. Therefore, the Capital Region of Denmark and the mayors of the 29 municipalities have now agreed to recommend five specific infrastructure investments.
“Our population is growing and the need for mobility is increasing. I am therefore delighted that the municipalities and the Region have managed to come together on a joint mobility strategy with prioritised projects that can help improve public transport and conditions for cyclists and reduce noise pollution,” says Steen Christiansen (Social Democratic Party), mayor of Albertslund Municipality and Chairman of KKR Greater Copenhagen, an association of municipalities in the greater Copenhagen area.
The five priority projects
- S-train express tunnel between Copenhagen Central Station and Hellerup to alleviate bottlenecks and increase the number of departures.
- BRT buses on lines 150S, 200S, and 400S, which will have their own lanes and avoid queues.
- Expansion of the cycle superhighway network to 850 km, providing fast and safe connections across the Region.
- Extension of route 16 between Frederiksværk and Hillerød as a motorway with an associated cycle superhighway.
- Speed reductions on selected urban motorways to reduce traffic noise.
“Our analysis clearly shows that we need to act now to avoid longer journey times and more noise. We need to make it easier and more attractive to take the train, bus or bicycle. It’s about making everyday life easier for families, commuters and businesses in the greater Copenhagen area,” says Lars Gaardhøj (Social Democratic Party), Chairman of the Capital Region of Denmark.
Line Barfod (Red–Green Alliance), Technical and Environmental Administration Mayor of Copenhagen, also believes that the selected projects have the potential to encourage more people to opt out of the car.
“With these proposals, we are planning massive investments in both cycle superhighways and public transport, which will be a huge boost to the joint effort to move more people away from private cars and towards greener modes of transport. This is essential to ensure that the greater Copenhagen area is efficient, sustainable and liveable in the future,” she says.
One of their five recommendations is to create an S-train express tunnel between Copenhagen Central Station and Hellerup. And that could make a huge difference, according to Karsten Längerich (Liberal Party), Deputy Chairman of KKR Greater Copenhagen and Mayor of Allerød Municipality:
“The S-train network is the backbone of public transport in the greater Copenhagen area, but during rush hour, the trains are already full. That is why significant improvements to the S-train network are essential. A new S-train tunnel will increase capacity throughout the network and make travelling by train more attractive,” he says.
The recommendations are based on the assumption that the transport projects that were included in the municipalities’ and regions’ proposals from 2016 will be implemented.
The recommendations will now be sent to the Minister for Transport and the Parliamentary Transport Committee.
Further information:
Contact the press office at the Capital Region of Denmark at +45 70209588 /
presse@regionh.dk