Numerous stories surround the Nordbahnbahn
In the heart of Germany, the city of Wuppertal has transformed an old railway corridor into a vibrant public space, known as the North Railway Path. This 22-kilometer long pedestrian, inline skating, and bike path has been a continuous fixture for the past ten years, stretching from Vohwinkel to the Schee Tunnel in the city's northeast.
The project was spearheaded by Dipl.-Ing. Rainer Widmann, a long-standing member of Wuppertal's city council and the traffic committee, who served as the project's head from 2006 to June 30, 2015. Widmann, who graduated from Stuttgart for architecture and Wuppertal for traffic engineering in 1973, had previously worked as a transportation planner for the city of Wuppertal and served as the "Commissioner for Non-Motorized Traffic Participants" from April 1996.
The North Railway Path was developed on the former Rhine Railway line, which was decommissioned in 1999. The project received significant financial support from the EU, federal government, and state, totalling 23.75 million euros. Notably, the "Wuppertalbewegung" association raised 2.5 million euros in donations for the project.
The association aimed to act as the path's owner and operator. The North Railway Path project has been celebrated for its contributions to sustainable transport, urban mobility, and green spaces. It has received multiple awards, including the German Cycling Prize, the "European Greenway Award", and was named the "Rising Star" in the ADFC Cycling Climate Test.
The North Railway Path project has had a significant impact on Wuppertal and its surrounding areas. It fosters active transportation by providing safe, dedicated routes for cyclists and pedestrians. The path increases connectivity within the city and to regional transport hubs, supporting multimodal commuting.
The revitalization of the formerly underused railway corridor has led to the creation of vibrant public spaces, encouraging environmental benefits by promoting non-motorized transit and reducing carbon emissions. The path also contributes to public health and recreation by offering easy access to green and leisure spaces.
Urban development around the path is noted in areas such as Heubruch and Utopiastadt. Realized projects along the path include the Schwarzbachtrasse and further path planning in Wuppertal, including the Langerfeldtrasse, the Bergisch-Märkische Veloroute to Hagen, the Hatzfeldtrasse, the bike ring around Wuppertal, and the Veloroute from Vohwinkel to Düsseldorf.
The bridge Bracken's opening on May 29, 2015, is mentioned in the article as part of the continuous opening of the path. The creation and implementation of the North Railway Path is detailed in a 36-page expert article published in the VDV-Verlag's loose-leaf collection "Handbook of Municipal Transportation Planning".
The North Railway Path in Wuppertal, a joint infrastructure project between citizens and municipal administration, continues to serve as a shining example of sustainable urban development and the transformation of disused rail lines into valuable public spaces. For those seeking more precise historical and developmental details, local government or urban planning sources from Wuppertal would be the next best resource to consult.
The North Railway Path project, developed on a decommissioned railway line, garnered substantial financial support from various sectors, including the European Union, federal government, state, and the 'Wuppertalbewegung' association.
This infrastructure, celebrated for its contributions to sustainable transport and urban mobility, has inspired other projects like the Schwarzbachtrasse and the Hatzfeldtrasse, demonstrating its impact on urban development in Wuppertal and its surrounding areas.
