Criticism of the intersection is premature, the construction is halfway done. We are waiting for the energy workers

The ongoing reconstruction of the intersection near the sports hall in Buchlovice is causing sharp criticism. The locals point to the insufficient width dimensions, according to them, two passenger cars can hardly avoid, there is a risk of collision. But the goal of the intersection modification is precisely safety. The municipality appeals for patience, the construction work is not over yet.

“The intersection was just one large square, not regulated in any way, cars exiting the main road often complicated the situation for drivers turning from the square to the hall. We’ve been talking about her being dangerous for years. The reconstruction will impose the necessary traffic regulations on it,” declared Pavla Večeřová, mayor of Buchlovice.

But the ongoing construction work caused embarrassment among the residents. “The intersection is just a mess, a real ace, two oncoming cars can hardly be avoided, larger vehicles have the right of way. School buses, taking children to swimming, to the theater or on a trip, prefer to detour to Břestek… It’s a long way from a safe intersection,” one of the residents, who wished to remain anonymous, confided to DOBRÉ DNI. According to him, the only solution is to widen the traffic lanes.

The municipality does not bury its head in the sand in the face of critical voices, after all, a partial modification of the project is also a reaction. “We will widen the curves in two places to really eliminate collisions and accommodate complaints. However, it is necessary to realize that the project documentation was approved by all concerned authorities, including the traffic inspectorate, so the intersection complies with all legislative requirements,” emphasized Večeřová, adding that the winning option is also the result of long discussions with experts. There was even a roundabout in the game, but it ended up in the bin due to insufficient dimensions.

In any case, people criticize the unfinished work, the reconstruction of the intersection and the adjoining Hradišťská Street is halfway done. The investor of the road is the Directorate of Roads of the Zlín Region (ŘSZK), the municipality is responsible for sidewalks, intersections and public lighting. “The builders are not really done yet. The situation will improve significantly only after the substation, which stands at the intersection today, is removed. Only then will the arch to Tyršová Street, which is not there yet, be completed,” said Mayor Buchlovic. “The intersection near the hall is being implemented in accordance with applicable standards in agreement with the municipality, and the adopted solution will make the connection of local roads clearer and increase road traffic safety,” responded Bronislav Malý, director of the ŘSZK. In the first stage, the builders removed the pavement from Hradišťská street, replaced it with an asphalt carpet and ensured that the roadway was drained into the sewer.

It is not yet certain when the workers will return to Buchlovice. The ŘSZK is currently solving the conditions for selecting a contractor for the project documentation for the ongoing reconstruction of Hradišťská street from the first castle gate to the industrial zone. “We expect to change the surface from a small cube to asphalt, unify the width of the road, build a deceleration element at the entrance to the township and two-way bus stops near the industrial zone, add a cycle path, adjust the place for crossing, the intersection of Sportovní and Hradišťská roads, repair the sidewalk and connect the road to the planned location of Nové sady,” revealed Malý.

But there is one catch. Construction work at the criticized intersection will start again only when the energy workers dismantle the substation. “Even before that, they will bury the power lines in the ground and place a new substation a little further outside the intersection. I believe that they will start work as soon as possible, so that we can do everything by the end of the year,” wishes the mayor of the town, whose financial contribution to the reconstruction amounts to approximately 12 million crowns.