Traffic restrictions are in the offing in Berlin due to a visit by US President Joe Biden ! After the Selenskyi visit last week, we can now expect further massive restrictions on road and local traffic.
Traffic restrictions in Berlin are inevitable: What can we expect?
Rail commuters and car drivers must be prepared for considerable disruptions in Berlin over the next few days. US President Joe Biden is making up for his planned visit, which had to be canceled for the time being due to Hurricane Milton. For us in Berlin, this naturally means massive security measures and traffic restrictions. Berlin road users were already severely affected during Selenskyi’s visit last week – and unfortunately this time will be no different.
S-Bahn, regional and long-distance trains – what will be disrupted?
On Thursday evening and Friday, traffic around the government district, Bellevue Palace and the Brandenburg Gate is expected to be completely blocked in some places. The traffic information center warns of massive restrictions: Many S-Bahn trains will run less frequently or at times not at all. The routes around Bellevue Palace, where Biden will be meeting with Federal President Steinmeier, among others, will be particularly affected. Regional trains and long-distance trains will also be diverted or will not even stop at Berlin Central Station. So anyone relying on buses or subway trains must also expect delays and cancellations.
Highest security level: What will happen during Biden’s visit to Berlin?
The security precautions surrounding Biden’s visit are extreme: snipers are positioned on rooftops, the Spree is secured, drone defense and airspace closures are activated. There are also roadblocks, ID checks and dog patrols. Many of these measures depend on where Biden is staying, which may mean short-term changes to traffic flow. Most recently, this was the case at the Hotel Adlon, whereupon the area around the Brandenburg Gate had to be generously closed.
Stay safe and plan your route better
So if you are traveling in Berlin this week, you should avoid large parts of the city center as far as possible, especially on Thursday and Friday. Wide detours and alternative routes could keep your stress levels down. Keep up to date with the latest traffic information and updates to get through the traffic chaos safely.