NEWS

There will be traffic solution changes in the vicinity of the Osloboditeľov square in connection with the Aupark construction in Košice. The existing communication leading from Palackého to Štúrova Street will be moved from the square’s northern part to its southern section. Štúrova will thus stay drivable from both directions from south only as the northern part will only allow access to tram traffic. As a result, the pedestrian zone will be extended by the territory from Hotel Glória to Slovenská Sporitelňa building.

“This is one of the largest traffic junctions in the city. It is therefore necessary to select a non-collision solution, optimal from technical, financial and time perspective.” explains traffic expert Pavel Titl. The street level variant proposed by HB Reavis Group, the Aupark developer, does fulfil these criteria. “Other solutions are technically and financially very hard to execute and would unnecessarily delay the construction in this locality” warns P. Titel. That is to say that the sunken traffic solution is intircated by very high levels of groundwater as well as a tangle of underground supply networks. Their relocation would require long term traffic closure in both directions of Štúrova Street.

The final verdict now lies in hands of the city of Košice representatives. They should come to as decision based also on the recommendation from the 15 member workgroup dealing with this subject from June already. “The decision must arrive quickly; otherwise complications in the organisation of the Ice Hockey Championships can arise due to the incomplete infrastructure” thinks Miro Sedlák from HB Reavis Group, as city of Košice is currently missing hotel, office and shopping & entertainment capacities.

Aupark Košice amounting to 2,8 billion Slovak Crowns will offer 49 thousand square meters of gross lettable office and retail area upon completion. 1 200 parking spaces will be at disposal. The entertainment, culture, relaxation and shopping possibilities in the city will thus increase significantly with Aupark adding 160 stores of world and local brands as well as 6 modern cinema halls. The architectonical shape of the centre, located in the historical heart of Košice, is composed by the prestigious British atelier Benoy, awarded the RLI Designer if Year for the past 2 years.

Aupark developer traffic solution:

The proposition resolves the east-west city communication of the square in the section between the junctions Jantárová-Palackého-Protifašistických bojovníkov and Štúrova-Mojmírova:

• current communication leading from Hotel Glória to Štúrova Street will be relocated from the northern part to the southern section of the square
• only public transportation rail traffic will remain in the northern part (behind Aupark)
• bus and trolley-bus traffic will adapt to the proposed communication relocation. The public transportation stops will be situated on Štúrova Street in front of the shopping & entertainment center Aupark
• construction of an underpass under Štúrova Street will ensure pedestrian safety