The Tashkent city administration has officially responded to a proposal by the publication “Gazeta” to restore signalized ground pedestrian crosswalks on Amir Temur Avenue, where reconstruction work is currently underway. In a statement from the mayor’s press service, it was noted that the city authorities “carefully studied all proposals aimed at reconstructing the avenue by improving convenience for pedestrians, creating ground pedestrian crossings, reducing the roadway, and forming new public spaces.”

The administration emphasized in its statement: “The capital’s mayor’s office remains committed to ideas of developing pedestrian infrastructure that align with modern urban planning approaches. Previously proposed initiatives will be taken into account when developing projects for modernizing Amir Temur Avenue and adjacent streets in the future. Relevant project solutions will be presented in a timely manner for consideration by the public and expert community.”

However, the administration added that the work currently being carried out on the avenue “is only of a cosmetic nature and is being implemented within the framework of preparations for festive events.” This indicates that the current reconstruction phase is not comprehensive.

Previously, “Gazeta” reported on the existence of three unregulated (without traffic lights) ground pedestrian crosswalks on the 6-hectare avenue. Alongside these, there are four underground passages (one located at a metro exit). Until 2010, there were signalized crosswalks here, but they were eliminated after the expansion of the automobile ring surrounding the avenue during tree-cutting in 2009.

In 2018, “Gazeta” also published a proposal by prominent urbanist Arkady Gershman to organize ground crosswalks to turn the avenue into a genuine pedestrian zone. The administration’s response, while indicating that such proposals will be considered in future projects, leaves unclear how extensively they will be implemented in practice.

Source: www.gazeta.uz