The D43 highway is to pass through Brno, says a study by the South Moravian Region

Brno - The highway or road 43, which is to lead from the D1 motorway to the north towards Moravská Třebová, is set to pass through Brno along the track of the so-called Hitler's highway. This follows from a new territorial study commissioned by the South Moravian Region as a basis for updating the principles of territorial development. Project designers shared the results of the study today. Deputy Governor Martin Maleček (Mayors for South Moravia) stated that ideally, he would like to complete the update by the autumn of 2020, when regional elections are held.

The territorial study addressed the question of where to lead the currently unanchored transport routes in Brno and its surroundings, which remain in the principles of territorial development approved in 2016 in various versions and only in territorial reserves. Key is the routing of D43, which is the subject of a long-term and fierce dispute between supporters of two variants.

The study proposes to route the motorway through Brno in the so-called Bystrc variant. It partially follows the Stará dálnice road, around the Brno dam, and further north around Rozdrojovice and Jinačovice, Kuřim, and is also to lead between Drásov and Malhostovice and over the valley of the Lubě stream. Thus, the variant leading through the Boskovická basin to the west of Brno, which was a bypass of the city, is out of the game.

Whether D43 will ultimately be a motorway or just a road through Brno is still unclear. The 2016 study states that routing a motorway through the territory brings certain advantages, but also a number of negatives, particularly in the most problematic area from Kuřim to D1. "The study therefore recommends that further preparatory work also consider the question of looking into other categories than that of motorway-type communication. The study demonstrated that the construction of a first-class capacity road, meaning a land communication with grade-separated intersections, limited access, and varying, predominantly four-lane width arrangement, in some sections instead of a full-fledged motorway, would enable better service of the area," previously stated spokesperson for the Road and Motorway Directorate Jan Studecký. Project designers of the regional study reached a similar conclusion.

The study also recommended against building a southwestern tangent, which was supposed to connect D1 and D52. It further recommended a southern bypass of Kuřim and a southern bypass of Rosice. In the southeast of Brno, modifications to the D1 motorway between Slatina and Holubice are suggested to ensure that a different composition of grade-separated intersections better meets traffic needs. The bypass of Slatina should also run further from the built-up area and closer to D1 than currently planned.

Overall, the designers examined 15 different variants and combinations and assessed the expected traffic situation for 2020 and 2035.