In Tashkent, pedestrian access to Amir Temur Square has been opened. Now, the square can be reached from Sayilgoh (Broadway), Mustaqillik, Istiqlol, and Amir Temur streets via traffic light-controlled pedestrian crossings. Fences have been removed, and a wide pedestrian crossing has been created in the middle.

The project replaces underground passages with above-ground crossings equipped with traffic lights. Pedestrians wait 76 seconds, while drivers wait 25 seconds for pedestrians to cross. The changes have received mixed reactions from the public.

Teacher Hilola Komilova said: “As you get older, it becomes difficult to go up and down underground passages. Now I like the organized pedestrian crossing.” A young man named Artyom, who rides a skateboard, noted that the above-ground crossing is more convenient, but 76 seconds of waiting is too long.

65-year-old Gayrat Adashev, who finds it hard to use underground passages, stated: “Such traffic light crossings should be installed in other places as quickly as possible.” According to him, traffic used to be heavy here, but now cars stop and let pedestrians cross.

To connect Amir Temur Street, the Temurids Museum, and the square, a safety island has been built in the middle of the road. Three zebra crossings with traffic lights lead to it from different sides. Previously, there were unregulated pedestrian crossings here.

Drivers have differing opinions. Driver Askar Aynakulov, with 20 years of experience, believes: “There will be more traffic jams. If there is an underground passage, why are traffic lights needed?” However, driver Dilmurod Jalilov, with 30 years of experience, countered: “People can now relax with their children in the evening. It doesn’t bother me; I can arrive five minutes later.”

A tactile path has been installed for visually impaired pedestrians. The Tashkent city administration has not yet announced further plans.

Source: www.gazeta.uz